The authors investigated the femoral head ligament at hip flexion-extension and adduction-abduction ranges of motion. Seven human cadavers' hips were measured, initially with intact ligaments, and, subsequently, through arthroscopy, and then with sectioned ligaments also by means of arthroscopy. A specifically prepared device was used for measuring the range of motion which was submitted to a 2.5 N.m torque. An increased abduction-adduction range of motion was observed, which was statistically significant. We concluded that the femoral head ligament restricts hip adduction.
Hip; Arthroscopy; Range of motion, joint