[Post-traumatic hemarthrosis of the hip joint. Pathophysiolgic significance and therapeutic consequences]

A correlation between the intra-articular pressure in the hip joint and blood flow in the femoral head has been demonstrated in both experimental and clinical data. A small effusion volume (2.5 cc) is capable of causing pathological pressure values, depending upon the position of the joints, although the highest volume capacity in the hip is well over 10 cc. Relief of post-traumatic tension hemarthrosis seems to be an essential therapeutic step, as it may prevent necrosis of the femoral head.