M24.05: Loose body in joint Pelvic region and thigh

You have loose bodies in one or more joints in your pelvis or hip.

The pelvis is made up of different bones. There are 3 bones on each side which each merge to form one large pelvic bone. A joint connects these two large pelvic bones to the sacrum at the back of the body. The sacrum is part of the lower spine. The two pelvic bones plus the sacrum form a bony pelvic ring or girdle. In front, the two pelvic bones are tightly joined to one another by ligaments and cartilage fiber. The hip joints are outside, to the side of the pelvis. They connect the pelvis to the thighbones. The hip joints enable the legs to be moved in different directions.

In a joint, two or more bones come together. The bones are coated with a protective layer of cartilage. And joints are also encased in a capsule made of connective tissue. Inside the capsule there is always some fluid in the joint. It can happen, for various reasons, that a piece of bone, cartilage or connective tissue becomes detached. This piece can then move freely in the fluid in the joint. Reasons may include, for example, injuries or inflammation of the joint. After an operation, suture material may become detached so that it moves freely within the fluid in the joint. When something is moving freely within the joint, it is known as a loose body.

If loose bodies get jammed in the joint, it can cause pain. It may also no longer be possible to move the joint properly. The joint may then swell up.