Lumbar Spine, Hip and Knee - LO 5

5. Describe the blood supply to the hip joint and possible clinical concerns associated with this blood supply.

The hip joint is supplied by arteries branching from the deep femoral a. – the medial and lateral circumflex femoral aa. They encircle the neck of the femur and provide collateral supply to the joint, including the femoral head. Occasionally, the circumflex femoral aa. arise directly from the femoral a., not the deep femoral a. The circumflex femoral vessels are vulnerable to damage if the femoral head is dislocated or the femoral neck is fractured. If the blood supply to the joint is compromised, avascular necrosis may occur.