Cartilage covers the ends of the hip bones.
The hip, a major weight-bearing joint, is held together by muscles and ligaments that allow your hip to bend and straighten so you can walk and climb stairs. The gluteus medius and minimus muscles help stabilize the hip and keep it located in the socket. The sciatic nerve runs behind the hip and provides nerve supply to the back part of the thigh and lower leg while the femoral nerve runs in the front of the hip and provides nerve supply to the front of the hip and its muscles. When a hip joint becomes diseased or injured, simple movements can be painful and take the joy out of life. Most people want relief from the pain and disability caused by severe arthritis.