Fig. 2A–C.

A fluoroscopic series of images from the same operative procedure is shown. (A) The hip is distracted, and a needle is being introduced into the hip from the anterolateral portal. The needle is close to the femoral head to avoid labrum perforation and the tip of the needle is in the opposite direction to the femoral head to prevent cartilage injury. (B) Saline has been introduced through the needle into the hip. The space between the acetabulum and the femoral head has increased because of distension not an increment in traction. (C) A flexible guidewire has been introduced through the needle into the hip and the needle removed.