Loose Bodies
Loose bodies are bits of bone or cartilage fragments that have broken off due to injury but remain within the hip joint. These loose bodies can irritate the structures of the hip, resulting in pain and a clicking sound upon movement.
To diagnose the presence of a loose body, your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Imaging such as X-rays or MRI scans can confirm the suspected diagnosis as well as pinpoint the precise location and size of the loose body.
The most effective form of treatment is usually hip arthroscopy. The surgeon will make a small incision near the affected area of the hip and insert an arthroscope, a long flexible tube with a camera on the end that displays images of the hip’s interior. A few more small incisions are made through which tiny surgical instruments are inserted, allowing the surgeon to remove loose bodies and repair any damage they have caused.
Large Loose body after a hip dislocation
Multiple Loose Bodies in a patient with Multiple Osteochondromatosis