There are several approaches to ultrasound examination of the adult hip.
On this page:
Anterior approach
Patient positioning
- supine with the hip in mild external rotation
Planes
- sagittal oblique plane parallel to the long axis of the femoral neck to assess femoral head and neck and for any joint effusion
- sagittal and axial planes to assess labrum, iliopsoas tendon and bursa, femoral vessels, sartorius and rectus femoris muscles
- dynamic evaluation of snapping hip syndrome
Posterior approach
Patient positioning
- prone
Planes
- axial and longitudinal to assess hamstrings and sciatic nerve
- oblique to assess gluteal muscles
Lateral approach
Patient positioning
- lateral decubitus
Planes
- axial and coronal (longitudinal) to assess greater trochanter, greater trochanteric bursa, gluteal muscles and tensor fascia lata
- dynamic evaluation of iliotibial band syndrome
Medial approach
Patient positioning
- 45-degree knee flexion, external rotation (frog-leg position)
Planes
- sagittal oblique and axial planes to assess the adductor muscles, pubic bone and insertion of rectus abdominis muscle
Practical points
Some studies suggest an effusion of up to 7 mm can be present as part of normal variation 3.
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