This review provides a summary of blood flow measurements relevant to hip surgery. An overview of the blood supply to the femoral head and the effect of surgical approaches on bone blood flow will be supported by available measurements. Laser Doppler flowmetry is currently the most commonly used quantitative assessment of bone blood flow intraoperatively, at present mostly for research questions. The technique is user-dependant but safe and inexpensive. It may offer the opportunity to be developed into a clinical tool providing valuable real-time measurements.