Hip Joint Inferior Capsular Recess

recessus inferior capsulae coxae

The inferior capsular recess of the hip is the lower pocket of the joint capsule that wraps around the underside of the femoral neck, beneath the pubofemoral ligament. Joint fluid and loose bodies can settle here, so it is one of the recesses inspected on hip arthrography and arthroscopy.

Anatomical Data

Boundaries & Contents

Location	Lower hip joint, around the underside of the femoral neck
Boundaries	Inferior femoral neck (deep) Inferior capsule and pubofemoral ligament (superficial) Acetabular notch and transverse acetabular ligament (medially)
Contents	Synovial fluid Loose bodies when present

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

A dependent pocket of the hip capsule where fluid and loose bodies can settle. It is one of the recesses checked during hip arthrography and arthroscopy.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The inferior hip capsular recess is the most dependent part of the hip joint in standing. Hip joint effusions accumulate here and are aspirated via the anterior approach targeting this inferior recess. The inferior hip capsule is released in arthroscopic hip flexion contracture treatment. In inflammatory hip arthritis, this recess fills with pannus and synovitis producing characteristic inferior hip pain.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Hip Joint Effusion in Inferior Recess

Hip joint fluid accumulation in the inferior capsular recess producing hip pain in the position of maximum comfort (slight flexion-abduction-external rotation), aspirated under ultrasound guidance targeting the inferior anterior recess.

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