The pubofemoral ligament reinforces the inferior and anterior hip joint capsule, running from the superior pubic ramus to the inferior femoral neck. It works with the iliofemoral ligament to limit hip extension and adds a specific restraint to excessive hip abduction. It is the thinnest of the three hip capsular ligaments and is the structure most likely to be torn in an anterior hip dislocation.
| Origin | Superior pubic ramus, obturator crest, and obturator membrane |
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| Insertion | Inferior part of the femoral neck and lower intertrochanteric line |
| Actions | Limits abduction and extension of the hip; reinforces the inferior hip capsule |
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The pubofemoral ligament is an important consideration in hip arthroscopy where capsular closure after portal placement helps restore hip stability. Tears are associated with femoroacetabular impingement and labral pathology, and are best assessed on MRI arthrography where the normal ligament appears as a thickening of the inferior capsule.
Disruption of the pubofemoral ligament during forced hip abduction or anterior dislocation, producing inferior hip instability best assessed on MRI arthrography.
