Instability of the Hip in the Athletic Population

Instability of the hip is a newly recognized diagnosis as it pertains to sports injuries. When considering injury differential diagnosis of the hip, the practitioner should consider instability as a precursor to other etiologies of the hip. Hip microinstability is a prerequisite for many kinetic chain faults and injuries in and around the hip joint. This may include etiologies such as but not limited to labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement, ligamentous injury, and tendinopathy. Understanding this underappreciated diagnosis as an underlying cause of hip injuries in sports is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.