But now, orthopedic surgeons are employing a new, easier alternative called subchondroplasty, in which a damaged hip is strengthened by injecting a cement-like material.

In addition to supporting the vertebral column and allowing you to walk, the pelvic girdle—along with the sacrum and the coccyx—forms the walls of the pelvic cavity, which contains and protects some of the reproductive, digestive, and urinary organs.

Posteriorly the hip bones unite with the sacrum to form the sacroiliac joints. Together, this structure forms a basin-shaped ring called the bony pelvis or pelvic girdle that functions as the connection between the axial and the appendicular skeleton.

The hip joint, scientifically referred to as the acetabulofemoral joint (art. coxae), is the joint between the femur and acetabulum of the pelvis and its primary function is to support the weight of the body in both static (e.g., standing) and dynamic (e.g., walking or running) postures.

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Reasons to Consider Hip Replacement Surgery Your doctor might also recommend surgery if you have serious damage to your hip joint due to an injury or chronic condition, such as any of the following: Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause severe and ongoing hip pain and stiffness.

Apply heat 2 or 3 times a day for 20 to 30 minutes—using a heating pad, hot shower, or hot pack—to relieve pain and stiffness. Put ice or a cold pack on your sore hips for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to numb the area.