“Loose bodies are small fragments of cartilage or bone within a joint”. These loose bodies can be thought of as joint debris, and are often a result of a sports injury, trauma or degeneration of the surrounding joint. The loose bodies may migrate within the joint or remain in one place. Pain and stiffness may arise if the fragments are pinched between two moving structures. Spontaneously pain relief or change in location of pain may occur if the fragments move within the joint.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Locking
- Limited range of motion
- Loss of Strength
Causes
- Sports injury or trauma where the ball of the femur shifts too far causing small pieces of bone or cartilage to shear off
- Degeneration of the hip joint
Risk Factors
Athletes are most susceptible.
Diagnosis
- A detailed history is obtained to determine the cause of the loose bodies followed by a physical examination to evaluate possible motion loss or loss of strength.
- X-rays are used to identify loose boney fragments.
- An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or MRA (Magnetic Resonance Arthogram), an MRI using dye injected into the joint, can be used to identify the presence and positioning of non-boney fragments.
- Although less frequently, a CT (Computed Tonography) may be used to determine the location of the loose bodies.
Treatment
Loose bodies of the hip can be treated with non-surgical and surgical methods depending on the size and location of the fragments. The goal of non-surgical treatment methods is pain control.
Non-surgical methods
- Anti-inflammatories
- Analgesics
- Ice
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injection
Surgical
- Hip Arthroscopy
