Ultrasound images of the hip provide pictures of muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bone and soft tissues of the hip. In infants, the hip (which has a ball and cup configuration) is composed mainly of cartilage and is easily recognized on ultrasound.

Hip ultrasound images are typically used to help evaluate:

•  abnormalities of the muscles, such as tears and soft-tissue masses.
•  foreign bodies, bleeding, infections or other types of fluid collections.
•  benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.
•  early changes of arthritis.