Hip and Groin Pain: Radiological Assessment

Hip and groin pain are commonly encountered complaints in orthopedic practice. The diagnosis can be difficult to establish based on the complex interconnected anatomy at the pubic symphysis and around the hip. In addition patients can present with varied pathology, such as labral and cartilaginous injuries, surrounding soft tissue derangement involving muscles or tendons and osseous abnormalities. The differential diagnosis is therefore broad and diagnostic imaging is crucial in reaching the correct diagnosis, thus allowing appropriate therapy to be instituted. This article will review the relevant anatomy, differential diagnoses and important imaging findings encountered in chronic hip pain and overuse injuries of the groin.