We are talking about a 66-year-old patient with pain on some days, pain of an occasional nature. Although the diagnosis is clearly osteoarthritis, it does not lead directly to a surgical indication. The first step is to try conservative treatment (we ruled out the first option). Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that opioids certainly do not stop, so we rule out option two. Option four can also be quickly discarded: the statement makes the diagnosis and treatment to follow clear: in this case the MRI will not provide us with any information of interest.

We are talking about a 66-year-old patient with pain on some days, pain of an occasional nature. Although the diagnosis is clearly osteoarthritis, it does not lead directly to a surgical indication. The first step is to try conservative treatment [HIDDEN]. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that opioids certainly do not stop, [HIDDEN]. [HIDDEN]: the statement makes the diagnosis and treatment to follow clear: in this case the MRI will not provide us with any information of interest.

You evaluate a 66-year-old patient with groin pain accentuated by prolonged standing a few days a month. A plain radiograph of the hips shows narrowing of the femoroacetabular joint space, sclerosis and osteophytes. What is your approach?

I make the diagnosis of coxarthrosis and send to the traumatologist to place a hip prosthesis.

Start treatment with weak opioids that have shown evidence in stopping the progression of the disease.

I insist treatment with paracetamol, explain that the evolution is very variable and the surgical indication depends on the functionality and pain control.

Because of the radiological features described, I need a hip MRI before making a therapeutic decision.

[Coxarthroses].

Osteoarthritis of the hip is a frequent disease affecting 2 to 4% adults. The main symptoms are inguinal pain, hip movement limitation and thigh muscular atrophy. The diagnosis is usually made of on antero-posterior radiograph of the pelvis and Lequesne's lateral view that show joint space narrowing and osteophytosis. There is no correlation between radiographic lesions and clinical symptoms. The mean rate of joint space narrowing progression was shown to be of about 0.30 mm/year but inter-patients variations are very large. The evolution is more sever in older patients and when there is no osteophyte. New imaging techniques are necessary only if diagnosis is impossible on standard radiographs but not for the surgical decision. The treatment of hip osteoarthritis requires analgesic, NSAIDs and symptomatic slow actin drugs for osteoarthritis. Total hip arthroplasty is necessary when medical treatment is non effective on pain and disability.

Editorial Commentary: Routine Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Hip Arthroscopy Is Wasting Health Care Dollars and Delaying Surgical Intervention: Decision Making Should Be at the Discretion of the Health Care Provider Not Mandated by Health Care Insurers.

Making an accurate preoperative diagnosis is critical to optimizing outcomes after hip arthroscopy. A detailed history, thorough physical examination, imaging studies, and diagnostic injections must all be considered in the decision-making process. In today's health care climate, it is imperative to obtain essential and indicated preoperative information while being mindful of health care dollars. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hip has been shown to be a highly sensitive modality for hip and pelvis disorders. However, it is critical to recognize that acetabular labral tears and other hip pathology are highly prevalent in an asymptomatic young adult population. There are certainly situations when an MRI should be obtained (suspected arthritic symptoms, avascular necrosis, synovial disorders, uncommon osseous tumors); however, these patients generally present with atypical symptoms. In addition, obtaining an MRI can delay surgical intervention, which has been shown to lead to inferior outcomes in prior studies. MRI is not imperative when patients present with typical intermittent, deep anterior, lateral, groin pain with prolonged sitting, twisting and pivoting, and transitioning from sitting to standing. The typical physical examination includes positive hip impingement testing (FADIR / anterior impingement test) that recreates the patients presenting complaints. Appropriate imaging includes plain radiographs revealing adequate acetabular coverage (not significantly dysplastic) or acetabular overcoverage (pincer-type femoracetabular impingement), cam-type femoracetabular impingement, and well-maintained joint space on all views, including a false profile radiograph to further evaluate the anterior joint space. Finally, a diagnostic injection can be invaluable to further confirm the hip joint proper as the source of pain. If all of the above criteria are met, I strongly believe an MRI is unlikely to alter the surgical decision-making process. In the end, the treating clinician should determine when an MRI is necessary based on the presenting symptoms and examination, rather than insurers applying a blanket requirement for preauthorization. This physician autonomy would ultimately lead to more efficient and cost-effective patient care. Medicine is an art, and unjustified handcuffing of the artist without evidence could result in inferior results.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the hip: poor cost utility for treatment of adult patients with hip pain.

Although MRI is frequently used to diagnose conditions affecting the hip, its cost-effectiveness has not been defined. We performed this retrospective study to determine for patients 40 to 80 years old: (1) the differences in hip MRI indications between orthopaedic and nonorthopaedic practitioners; (2) the clinical indications that most commonly influence treatment decisions; (3) the likelihood that hip MRI influences treatment decisions separate from plain radiographs; and (4) the cost of obtaining hip MRI studies that influence treatment decisions (impact studies). We retrospectively assessed 218 consecutive hip MRI studies (213 patients) at one institution over a 5-year interval. Medical records, plain radiographs, and MRI studies were reviewed to determine how frequently individual MRI findings determined treatment recommendations (impact study). The cost estimate of an impact study was calculated from the product of institutional MRI unit cost (USD 436) and the proportion of impact studies relative to all studies obtained either for a specific indication or by an orthopaedic/nonorthopaedic clinician. Nonorthopaedic clinicians more frequently ordered hip MRI without a clinical diagnosis (72% versus 30%, p < 0.01), before plain radiographs (29% versus 3%, p < 0.001), and with less frequent impact on treatment (6% versus 15%, p < 0.05). Hip MRI most frequently influenced treatment when assessing for a tumor (58%, p < 0.001) or infection (40%, p < 0.001) and least frequently when assessing for pain (1%, p < 0.002). Hip MRI impacted a treatment decision independent of plain radiographic findings in only 7% of studies (3% surgical, 4% nonsurgical). Hip MRI cost was least when assessing for a neoplasm (USD 750) and greatest when assessing undefined hip pain (USD 59,000). The cost of obtaining an impact study was also less when the ordering clinician was an orthopaedic clinician (USD 2800) than a nonorthopaedic clinician (USD 7800). Although MRI can be valuable for diagnosing or staging specific conditions, it is not cost-effective as a screening tool for hip pain that is not supported by history, clinical examination, and plain radiographic findings in patients between 40 and 80 years of age. Level IV, economic and decision analysis study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Fate of very small asymptomatic stage-I osteonecrotic lesions of the hip.

The prognosis for a patient with osteonecrosis of the hip is generally considered to be worse if a large volume of the femoral head is involved, the patient is symptomatic, and the stage of the lesion is advanced. In 1990, we began a prospective study to detect collapse in asymptomatic hips with a very small stage-I osteonecrotic lesion in the femoral head. We hypothesized that such patients would have a favorable prognosis. These hips were followed for a minimum of ten years after the diagnosis. A small asymptomatic stage-I osteonecrotic lesion (not seen on plain radiographs) was diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging in forty patients (forty hips) contralateral to a hip with symptomatic osteonecrosis. The criterion for inclusion in the study was a lesion with a volume of <5 cm(3) involving <10% of the volume of the femoral head. Plain radiographs were made annually in six different projections for all patients. At the most recent follow-up evaluation (average, eleven years), patients with a symptomatic hip but without evidence of collapse on plain radiographs underwent a computerized tomography scan. Thirty-five (88%) of the forty hips became symptomatic, and twenty-nine (73%) demonstrated collapse. The mean interval between the diagnosis and the first symptoms was eighty months. Symptoms always preceded collapse by at least six months. The mean interval between the diagnosis and the collapse was ninety-two months (range, seventy-two to 140 months). The diagnosis of collapse could be made on only one or two of the six radiographic views obtained for each patient at each evaluation. The diagnosis of collapse for two patients was made only on a computerized tomography scan at the most recent follow-up evaluation. At the time of final follow-up, the twenty-nine hips with collapse had symptoms of intractable pain and required surgery. This study confirms that the diagnosis of collapse is difficult in hips with a very small stage-I osteonecrotic lesion. Multiple radiographic views and computerized tomography scans may be required to demonstrate small areas of collapse. Clinical and radiographic signs of progression of the disease in asymptomatic hips with a very small asymptomatic lesion progress more slowly than do those signs in hips with a large symptomatic stage-II lesion. Because hips with a small area of osteonecrosis do collapse in a large percentage of patients, such patients should be followed carefully over a long period of time. Prognostic study, Level I-1 (prospective study). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[Hip degeneration].

Hip degeneration is typically easily diagnosed, based on the combination of clinical findings and plain films showing the four classifical findings: joint space narrowing, osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis and subchondral cysts. Some degenerated hips may have misleading features such as when joint space narrowing is mainly posterior or the main finding is a large subchondral cyst. Rapidly destructive coxopathy results in joint space narrowing and joint destruction over a few months. MRI is helpful in early cases with normal radiographs or in patients with known hip degeneration presenting with acute worsening of symptoms. Follow-up is achieved by measuring the joint space on consecutive radiographs obtained using a standard technique.

Hip osteoarthritis: what the radiologist wants to know.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disease of the hip joint seen in adults. The diagnosis of OA is based on a combination of radiographic findings of joint degeneration and characteristic subjective symptoms. The lack of a radiographic consensus definition has resulted in a variation of the published incidences and prevalence of OA. The chronological sequence of degeneration includes the following plain radiographic findings: joint space narrowing, development of osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, and cyst formation. There are cases though, that plain radiographs show minor changes and the clinical suspicion of early disease can be confirmed with more sophisticated imaging methods, such as multi-detector computed tomography and MR imaging. The present article will review all the clinical information on the hip OA together with an updated radiological approach, with emphasis on the early depiction and the differential diagnosis of the disease.

[The natural course of osteoarthritis of the hip. Indication of conservative treatment in relation to osteophyte formation at the acetabular rim].

One hundred and eighty-five hips from 152 patients with primary or secondary osteoarthritis were studied in an attempt to assess the degrees of hip pain in contrast to radiological and other clinical findings. In 30.8% and 26.4% of the primary and secondary osteoarthritic hips respectively, hip pain showed some gradual decrease as time elapsed. Pain relief probably in association with osteophyte formation at the craniolateral acetabular rim occurred in 62.5% and 33.3% of the primary and secondary osteoarthritic hips respectively. Significant parameters observed in the primary osteoarthritic cases of the decreasing pain group were as follows: A lesser extent of cranial displacement of the femoral head, poor capital drop development, well developed floor osteophyte. On the other hand significant parameters in the decreasing pain group of secondary osteoarthritis were as follows: Well developed floor osteophyte, a small size of cyst in both the femoral head and the acetabulum, few "b" or "d" type of bony sclerosis in the acetabulum. Careful observation of radiographic changes (cyst and sourcil) would be most important, especially in secondary osteoarthritis, to decide the indication of surgery. On the basis of histological studies of osteophyte at the craniolateral acetabular rim obtained at the operation, it was assumed that the osteophyte formation had initiated from metaplasia of the labrum or synovial membrane and progressed by a form of chondral ossification after the process of fibrous tissue formation. A well developed trabecular density in the osteophyte at the craniolateral acetabular rim was determined by the use of Muto digigrammer system, Model G-002.

[Coxarthrosis].

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a very common disease. There is a minor prevalence of males. By etiology one can distinguish primary (idiopathic) from secondary osteoarthritis. Secondary are due to well-known etiologies as overweight, repetitive traumata, malposture, muscle- and tendon-imbalance etc. Osteoarthritis includes not only cartilage abnormalities, but also such of the subchondral-region, synovialis, synovial fluid and periarticular muscles. The cartilage shows in osteoarthritis typically edema and swelling, defects with tears, fibrillation, and "baldness" and (or) cartilagenous repair-islands and joint space narrowing as well, while subchondrally micro-edema, necrosis, ev. microfractures, "cysts", demineralisation followed by sclerosis, osteophyte-formation and deformity is seen. With conventional radiographs and CT joint space narrowing, subchondral cysts, sclerosis and osteophytes and deformities are well delineated, MRI however allows visualization of subtle bone marrow and cartilage abnormalities. Clinically, the diagnosis of pre-osteoarthritis becomes more and more important. This includes e.g. deformities and malpostures, labrum-pathologies and structural imbalances. There are three prognostic different types of hip-osteoarthritis depending on the migration of the head of the hip joint: the most common are the latero-cranial and the medio-caudal ones, while the central one is found very rarely. Basic imaging method are conventional radiographs, and CT, followed by MRI. The diagnosis of an "activated osteoarthritis" is made by bone-scintigraphy or MRI with i.v. application of contrast-media. The labrum- and cartilage diagnosis should be done with MRI or MR-arthrography. Functional computer-animated analysis will be of great diagnostic value in the near future. MRI indications are differences between clinical results and imaging, missing clinical improvement of an "activated" osteoarthritis under standard therapy, unclear joint-pain and before any arthroscopy.

[Imaging of the hip].

Imaging is fundamental to the diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up of all hip diseases. Despite the advent of extremely sophisticated exploratory methods, the oldest imaging method, straightforward radiography, makes it possible to recognize, locate ans treat the lesion in most cases. Good interpretation of simple antero-posterior and lateral x-ray films therefore is very important. Among the new imaging methods, computerized tomography has brought the third dimension, while ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance have enabled us to visualize cartilages and soft tissues. The contribution to diagnosis and follow-up of these modern methods is considerable, but since we are too near their beginning and since the number of examinations is still too small in many fields, the information they provide must be used with caution. A good knowledge of their principle, advantages and drawbacks should help us to utilize them at best by prescribing only those which are necessary and sufficient for diagnosis and treatment.

Idiopathic chondrolysis of hip in children: New proposal and implication for radiological staging.

Our objective was to evaluate the radiological appearances in different stages of idiopathic chondrolysis of hip (ICH) which will be helpful in the early diagnosis and guiding appropriate treatment for this condition to prevent progression of disease. We evaluated 14 patients of ICH in varying stages: Stage 1 (<in</i = 9), Stage 2 (<in</i = 3), Stage 3 (<in</i = 2). Average age at presentation was 10-11 years. Plain radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done in all these patients. In the current study, we have attempted to stage ICH based on the radiological progression of the disease, where MRI was used as the primary tool. Stage 1 showed a wedge-shaped hyperintensity in T2 weighted (T2W) and hypointensity in T1 weighted (T1W) images involving the middle one-third of the femoral head and it is the earliest and characteristic finding in MRI. Associated findings like joint space narrowing, synovial hypertrophy with joint effusion may also be observed. Stage 2 showed acetabular edema in the affected hip in addition to the above-mentioned findings. Stage 3 showed more extensive involvement of femoral head and acetabulum, with collapse of the femoral head, degenerative changes in hip, early osteoporotic changes, and ultimately loss of joint space. Imaging-based staging system proves very useful in the early diagnosis, staging, and assessing the prognosis of ICH.

[Late results of conservative treatment of perthes disease.].

The objective of the submitted work was to assess the long-term prognosis of Perthes disease. From the originally invited 142 patients 72 attended the check-up examination, complete X-ray documentation was assembled only in 32 patients with 38 affected hip joints. The time interval which had elapsed since the onset of the disease was on average 17 years. The authors evaluated the clinical and X-ray picture of the hip joints and assessed retrospectively the affection of the head according to Catterall's method, incl. signs of a head associated with risk. Treatment provided during the sixties and beginning of the seventies did not meet the principles of modern "containment" therapy. It comprised bed rest, application of a plaster spike and aftertreatment with a Thomas splint. During late check-up examinations Wiberg's angle, the epiphyseal index, the index of overlapping of the head, the distance of the head from the floor of the acetabulum and the height of the peak of the greater trochanter above the centre of the head of the femur were assessed. In addition to assessment of these partial X-ray parameters the authors evaluated the spherical properties of the head by Mose's method and subjectively the X-ray picture, using a three grade scale (satisfactory, feasible, poor). In the majority of assessed parameters the authors found a statistically significant correlation with the retrospective classification of the original X-ray pictures classified according to Catterall. The clinical picture was satisfactory in the majority, the authors did not find painful restriction of movement, while almost half the patients reported occasional subjective complaints as regards the hip joint. On the X-ray changes in the overgrowth of the greater trochanter were more marked than changes of the spherical character of the head and the extent of decentering. The follow-up of the group will continue to obtain a longer time interval from the onset of the disease. Key words: Perthes disease, late results, Catterall's classification.

Hips With Protrusio Acetabuli Are at Increased Risk for Failure After Femoroacetabular Impingement Surgery: A 10-year Followup.

Protrusio acetabuli is a rare anatomic pattern of the hip in which the femoral head protrudes into the true pelvis. The increased depth of the hip and the excessive size of the lunate surface typically lead to severe pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI); however, to our knowledge, there are no published mid- or long-term studies on results of circumferential acetabular rim trimming through a surgical hip dislocation for patients with this condition. (1) What is the 10-year survivorship of the hips treated with circumferential rim trimming through a surgical hip dislocation compared with a control group of hips that underwent surgery for pincer FAI but that did not have protrusio acetabuli? (2) What are the factors that were associated with a decreased likelihood of survivorship in those hips with the following endpoints: total hip arthroplasty, Merle d'Aubigné score of less than 15, and/or radiographic progression of osteoarthritis (OA)? (3) Does the radiographic pattern of degeneration differ between the two groups? We performed a case-control study comparing two groups: a protrusio group (32 patients [39 hips]) and a control group (66 patients [86 hips]). The control group consisted of hips treated with a surgical hip dislocation for pincer FAI and did not include hips with a positive protrusio sign or a lateral center-edge angle > 39°. The study group did not differ from the control group regarding the preoperative Tönnis OA score, age, and body mass index. However, the study group had more women, decreased mean height and weight, and lower preoperative Merle d'Aubigné-Postel scores, which were inherent differences at the time of first presentation. During the period in question, the indication for performing these procedures was a painfully restricted range of motion in flexion and internal rotation (positive impingement sign). The mean followup of the protrusio group (9 ± 5 years [range, 2-18 years]) did not differ from the control group (11 ± 1 years [range, 10-13 years], p = 0.109). At the respective minimum followup intervals in the underlying database from which cases and control subjects were drawn, followup was 100% for patients with protrusion who underwent FAI surgery and 97% for patients with FAI who underwent surgery for other anatomic patterns (three of 86 hips). We assessed the Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score, Harris hip score, WOMAC, and UCLA activity score at latest followup. A Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis of the hip was calculated if any of the following endpoints for both groups occurred: conversion to total hip arthroplasty, a Merle d'Aubigné-Postel score < 15, and/or radiographic progression of OA. Differences in survivorship were analyzed using the log-rank test. At 10-year followup, we found a decreased survivorship of the hip for the protrusio group (51% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 34%-67%]) compared with the control group (83% [95% CI, 75%-91%], p < 0.001) with one or more of the endpoints stated. We found four multivariate factors associated with a decreased likelihood of survival of the native hip according to the mentioned endpoints: body mass index > 25 kg/m(2) (adjusted hazard ratio, 6.4; 95% CI, 5.2-8.1; p = 0.009), a preoperative Tönnis OA score ≥ 1 (13.3; 95% CI, 11.8-14.9; p = 0.001), a postoperative lateral center-edge angle > 40° (4.2; 95% CI, 2.8-5.6; p = 0.042), and a postoperative posterior coverage > 56% (6.0; 95% CI, 4.3-7.6; p = 0.037). Preoperatively, joint space narrowing and osteophytes were more frequent posteroinferior (joint space narrowing 18% versus 2%, p = 0.008; osteophytes 21% versus 4%, p = 0.007), medial (joint space narrowing 33% versus 5%, p < 0.001) and  anterior (osteophytes 15% versus 1%, p = 0.004) in the protrusio compared with the control group. After correction in hips with protrusio, progression of joint space narrowing (from 6% to 45%, p = 0.001) and osteophyte formation (from 15% to 52%, p = 0.002) was most pronounced laterally. At 10 years, in 51% of all hips undergoing open acetabular rim trimming for protrusio acetabuli, the hip can be preserved without further radiographic degeneration and a Merle d'Aubigné score > 15. Even with the lack of a control group with nonoperative treatment, isolated rim trimming may not entirely resolve the pathomorphology in protrusio hips given the clearly inferior results compared with surgical hip dislocation for FAI without severe overcoverage. Level III, therapeutic study.

Osteoarthritis of the hip: are degenerative tears of the acetabular labrum predictable from features on hip radiographs?

A common feature of hip arthritis is the presence of labra tears. Recent literature suggests against the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients aged >45 years for the assessment of hip pain related to arthritis. To determine if radiographic features of osteoarthritis detectable on routine hip radiographs are accurate and reliable surrogate markers of degenerative acetabular labral tears identified on MR arthrography (MRA) and corroborated during arthroscopy. A retrospective study involving 86 symptomatic patients (hip pain) with radiologic work-up included MRA and pelvic or hip radiographs that underwent hip arthroscopy within three months. Imaging characteristics assessed on hip radiographs include measurements of superior acetabular, femoral head osteophyte, cortical thickness of the femoral shaft, and minimum joint space as well as presence of subchondral sclerosis of the femoral head and acetabulum, femoral shaft buttressing, and grade of arthritis. Presence of a labral tear was determined by consensus between three readers as well as by surgical correlation. The Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare presence of labral tears with each radiographic feature. Seventy-one patients (82.6%) had labral tears: 49 (69%) women and 22 (31%) men. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed statistical significance (<iP</i<0.05) between presence of a labral tear and acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes but failed to demonstrate any significance regarding acetabular subchondral sclerosis, cortical thickness, buttressing, or minimum joint space. Radiographic markers such as the acetabular and femoral head osteophyte sizes demonstrated statistical significance with the presence of labral tears.

[Outcome of hip shelf arthroplasty in adults after a minimum of 15 years of follow-up. Long term results and analysis of failures of 56 dysplastic hips].

The goal of this study was to evaluate late results of hip shelf arthroplasty in adults after a minimum of 15 years follow-up. 65 hip shelf arthroplasty performed for painful hip dysplasia between 1964 and 1977 were studied retrospectively in 1992. These 65 procedures were performed in 57 patients mean aged 32 +/- 14 years [17-56]. Nine patients (9 hips) were excluded (2 deceaded, 5 lost for follow-up, and two reoperated because of severe infection). Consequently, the functional results were evaluated for 56 hips (48 patients). Before surgery, according to Merle d'Aubigné's hip rating system, all the hips were painfull (mean pain score was 2.6 +/- 1.7 [0-5]). On radiography, all the hips had a dysplastic acetabulum and arthritic changes. Arthritic changes were severe in 32 hips (57.1 per cent). The hip shelf arthroplasty was carried out according to Roy-Camille. 10 hips had additional varus femoral osteotomy. The 48 patients (56 hips) included were evaluated by means of Merle d'Aubigné's hip rating system and AP and false lateral weight-bearing Xrays. In 1992, 24 procedures were changed for total hip replacement (THR) (17 before 15 years (early failure) and 7 after 15 years of follow-up (late failure)). These 24 hips were included with their last hip rating observed just before THR. Survival analysis was performed according to Kaplan-Meier using date of revision for THR as end-point. After 16.1 +/- 5.6 years of follow-up the functional score for 56 hips was: excellent in 4 hips, very good in 7 hips, good in 10, satisfactory in 14, poor in 17, and bad in 4. The survival rate established for 65 hips was 60 per cent at 15 years and 40 per cent at 21 years. Only 39 hips shelf arthroplasties were still functional after 15 years (mean follow-up 19.1 +/- 3 years [16-28], but 18 hips (46.1 per cent) were painfree or slightly painful (pain score to 5 or 6). Among these 39 hips, the results were excellent in 4 hips, very good in 7 hips, good in 10, satisfactory in 10, poor in 6, and bad in 2. Arthritic change was the main reason for failures: the Kaplan-Meier survival rate at 21 years was 87 per cent when arthrosis was slight and only 15 per cent and 42 per cent when arthrosis was moderate to severe (p = 0.0001). The adverse effect of arthrosis was promoted by lack of congruency for early failures, and by severity of dysplasia and hip subluxation for late failures. The additional femoral varus osteotomies had no influence on functional or radiographic outcome. Our study indicated that hip shelf arthroplasty performed for painful acetabular dysplasia in adult has a 40 per cent probability survival rate at 21 years. The high rate of revision (42.8 per cent) could be related to the prevalence of severe pre-operative arthrosis. The low rate of lost for follow-up (8.7 per cent) and the long follow-up period (16.1 years) made our conclusion reliable. In spite of a high revision rate we recommend shelf athroplasty to treat acetabular dysplasia in adults. This procedure, very reliable in cases of moderate arthrosis, could be performed in cases of severe arthrosis to delay and make easier THR, but a low survival rate could be expected unless dysplasia, lack of congruency and subluxation were mild.

BILATERAL RAPIDLY DESTRUCTIVE HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS: A CASE REPORT.

Although hip osteoarthritis usually shows a slow progression, a rapidly destructive osteoarthritis is observed in approximately 10% of patients. We aimed to present a case with rapidly destructive osteoarthritis in bilateral hip joints. A 78-year-old male patient was admitted due to pain in hip joints. In examination, hip movements were minimally painful and limited. The patient was able to walk independently with a cane. When he re-applied six months later, hip movements were severely limited and painful. In plain radiographs, while a slight narrowing in hip joint space, sclerosis and minimal osteophyte had been observed at the first administration, extreme narrowing, subluxation, flattening of femoral head, increased sclerosis, resorption in femoral head and acetabulum were detected six months later. We consider that hip osteoarthritis in elderly people should be monitored at frequent intervals in terms of clinic and radiological progression.

Strategy and optimization of diagnostic imaging in painful hip in adults.

Diagnostic imaging strategy in painful hip depends on many factors, but in all cases, plain X-ray is the first investigation. It may be sufficient to reach diagnosis and determine treatment options. More effective but more expensive exploration is indicated in two circumstances: when plain X-ray is non-contributive, and when diagnosis has been established but more accurate imaging assessment is needed to guide treatment. Following radiography, the choice of imaging techniques depends not only on the suspected pathology but also on the availability of equipment and its performance. MRI is probably the technique that provides the most comprehensive results; recent improved accessibility has significantly simplified the diagnostic algorithm. CT remains invaluable, and current techniques have reduced patient irradiation to a level similar to that of standard X-ray. Finally, cost is an important consideration in choosing the means of exploration, but the overall financial impact of the various strategies for diagnosis of painful hip is not well established. This article aims to provide a simple and effective diagnostic strategy for the assessment of painful hip, taking account of the clinical situation, and to detail the most typical semiologic patterns of each disease affecting this joint.

What MRI Findings Predict Failure 10 Years After Surgery for Femoroacetabular Impingement?

Magnetic resonance arthrogram (MRA) with radial cuts is presently the best available preoperative imaging study to evaluate chondrolabral lesions in the setting of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Existing followup studies for surgical treatment of FAI have evaluated predictors of treatment failure based on preoperative clinical examination, intraoperative findings, and conventional radiography. However, to our knowledge, no study has examined whether any preoperative findings on MRA images might be associated with failure of surgical treatment of FAI in the long term. The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the preoperative MRA findings that are associated with conversion to THA, any progression of osteoarthritis, and/or a Harris hip score of < 80 points after acetabuloplasty and/or osteochondroplasty of the femoral head-neck junction through a surgical hip dislocation (SHD) for FAI at a minimum 10-year followup; and (2) identify the age of patients with symptomatic FAI when these secondary degenerative findings were detected on preoperative radial MRAs. We retrospectively studied 121 patients (146 hips) who underwent acetabuloplasty and/or osteochondroplasty of the femoral head-neck junction through SHD for symptomatic anterior FAI between July 2001 and March 2003. We excluded 35 patients (37 hips) with secondary FAI after previous surgery and 11 patients (12 hips) with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. All patients underwent preoperative MRA to further specify chondrolabral lesions except in 19 patients (32 hips) including 17 patients (20 hips) who presented with an MRI from an external institution taken with a different protocol, 10 patients with no preoperative MRA because the patients had already been operated on the contralateral side with a similar appearance, and two patients (two hips) refused MRA because of claustrophobia. This resulted in 56 patients (65 hips) with idiopathic FAI and a preoperative MRA. Of those, three patients (three hips) did not have minimal 10-year followup (one patient died; two hips with followup between 5 and 6 years). The remaining patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean followup of 11 years (range, 10-13 years). Thirteen pathologic radiographic findings on the preoperative MRA were evaluated for an association with the following endpoints using Cox regression analysis: conversion to THA, radiographic evidence of any progression of osteoarthritis, and/or a Harris hip score of < 80. The age of the patient when each degenerative pattern was found on the preoperative MRA was recorded. The following MRI findings were associated with one or more of our predefined failure endpoints: cartilage damage exceeding 60° of the circumference had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-5.6; p = 0.003) compared with a damage of less than 60°, presence of an acetabular rim cyst had a HR of 4.1 (95% CI, 3.1-5.2; p = 0.008) compared with hips without these cysts, and presence of a sabertooth osteophyte had a HR of 3.2 (95% CI, 2.3-4.2; p = 0.013) compared with hips without a sabertooth osteophyte. The degenerative pattern associated with the youngest patient age when detected on preoperative MRA was the sabertooth osteophyte (lower quartile 27 years) followed by cartilage damage exceeding 60° of the circumference (28 years) and the presence of an acetabular rim bone cyst (31 years). Preoperative MRAs with radial cuts reveal important findings that may be associated with future failure of surgical treatment for FAI. Most of these factors are not visible on conventional radiographs or standard hip MRIs. Preoperative MRA evaluation is therefore strongly recommended on a routine basis for patients undergoing these procedures. Findings associated with conversion to arthroplasty, radiographic evidence of any progression of osteoarthritis, and/or a Harris hip score of < 80 points should be incorporated into the decision-making process in patients being evaluated for joint-preserving hip surgery. Level III, therapeutic study.

Make the Right Diagnosis: My Pearls for Working Up Hip-related Pain.

The origin of pain around the hip is commonly more elusive than other joints; often obscured by compensatory disorders. Hip problems tend to be multifactorial and require a multidisciplinary approach in the evaluation. The best strategy is to team with a capable physical therapist to unveil the layers of problems. Ultrasonography and imaging/ultrasound-guided injections can be the most valuable adjunct to the history and physical examination. Plain radiographs are an essential element in the workup. Magnetic resonance imaging can underestimate damage in the joint, but positive findings can sometimes be the normal consequence of age and activity. Magnetic resonance imaging is often as important for what it rules out as much as what it rules in. Computed tomography scans with 3-dimensional reconstructions can be especially helpful in surgical planning but are not used in routine screening, being thoughtful of radiation exposure even with low-dose protocols. Arthroscopic access to the hip is more challenging than other joints, and similarly, unlocking its clinical secrets can be more imposing as well.

Reliability of radiographic evaluations of the stage of osteoarthritis of the hip joint and an approach to improve the staging criteria.

A few reports have shown that the reliability of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association stage classification of hip osteoarthritis was not high. The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of the stage classification of coxarthrosis, and to evaluate whether a modification of the classification improves reliability. We retrospectively investigated 200 hips in 100 patients with hip pain. We collected radiographs of their hip joints with the patients in both a supine and a standing position. Four orthopaedic surgeons evaluated the stage of coxarthrosis employing the JOA classification. The percentage of agreement of examiners and the value of the kappa statistic were calculated. Furthermore, to improve the reliability of classification, we modified the classification based on previous reports. Partial narrowing of the joint space and disappearance of the joint space were defined as maintained if it was 2 mm or more, and as the width of the loss of joint space that was 10 mm or more respectively. Using this classification, the same examiners assessed the stage on the same radiographs again three months after the previous evaluation. The percentages of agreement were 28.5% and 27% and the interobserver value of the kappa statistic was 0.45 and 0.44 in supine and standing position respectively. After modification of the classification, the percentages of agreement were 36.5% and 44% and the interobserver value of the kappa statistic was 0.48 and 0.56 in supine and standing positions respectively, and the intraobserver value of the kappa statistic was 0.55. The modification significantly improved the reliability only in the percentage of the agreement for the standing position. This study showed that the reliability of the JOA stage classification of coxarthrosis was not as high as previous reports have showed. Modification of the classification improved interobserver reliability.

[Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip (author's transl)].

Surgery can improve function for one or more decades for patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, even though the operations may not be very invasive. The indications must be made by surgeons in collaboration with rheumatologists. There is no patent recipe, no 'common' intervention which gives a reliable result in all cases. The patient must be studied in all stages of development of his disease: his joint structure in the radiogram, the morphology of the bones, the functional requirements and his general state of health influence the decision regarding the possibility and modality of a surgical intervention. The patient's return to an active life which would not have been possible for him under medicinal treatment supports the importance of surgical treatment.

Does Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome Affect Self-Reported Burden in Football Players With Hip and Groin Pain?

It is unknown if football players with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome report worse burden than those with other causes of hip/groin pain, and to what extent this is mediated by cartilage defects and labral tears. Football players with FAI syndrome would report worse burden than other symptomatic players, with the effect partially mediated by cartilage defects and/or labral tears. Cross-sectional study. Level 4. Football (soccer and Australian football) players (n = 165; 35 women) with hip/groin pain (≥6 months and positive flexion-adduction-internal rotation test) were recruited. Participants completed 2 patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; the International Hip Outcome Tool-33 [iHOT-33] and Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score [HAGOS]) and underwent hip radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). FAI syndrome was determined to be present when cam and/or pincer morphology were present. Cartilage defects and labral tears were graded as present or absent using MRI. Linear regression models investigated relationships between FAI syndrome (dichotomous independent variable) and PROM scores (dependent variables). Mediation analyses investigated the effect of cartilage defects and labral tears on these relationships. FAI syndrome was not related to PROM scores (unadjusted <ib</i values ranged from -4.693 (<iP</i = 0.23) to 0.337 (<iP</i = 0.93)) and cartilage defects and/or labral tears did not mediate its effect (<iP</i = 0.22-0.97). Football players with FAI syndrome did not report worse burden than those with other causes of hip/groin pain. Cartilage defects and/or labral tears did not explain the effect of FAI syndrome on reported burden. FAI syndrome, cartilage defects, and labral tears were prevalent but unrelated to reported burden in symptomatic football players.

[Save the joint? Replace the joint? Long-term results and considerations in the treatment of femur head necroses in adults].

65 patients with necrosis of the femoral head (not caused by a trauma) in 102 hip joints were examined at an average of 9.7 years following first operation: 1st: 30 joints underwent intertrochanteric varus angulation osteotomy (follow up 11.6 y). 12/30 clinically not sufficient, 13/30 radiologically worse, only 2/30 improved range of movement. 2nd: 35 hip joints were treated using an artificial hip replacement (follow up 9.1 y): 77% got loose at an average of 5 years requiring 39 follow-up operations. 3rd: 5 arthrodesis were performed (follow up 11.4 y). 60% delayed nor non bony union. The results indicate a general osteopathy overlapping the size of osteonecrosis, and causing a lot of complications. Various therapeutic concepts should be considered with respect to radiological stage and age of the patient. The results of joint saving operations depend on the ability of the femoral bony structures to react sufficiently.

Atypical femoral fracture post total hip replacement in a patient with hip osteoarthritis and an ipsilateral cortical thickening.

Atypical femoral fractures (AFF) can be present in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). This case highlights the opportunity to review the management of stress reactions, stress fractures and atypical femoral fractures, which depend on the activity of the fracture. A 66-year-old female with a history of long-term bisphosphonate use underwent a total hip replacement for symptomatic osteoarthritis with a clinical presentation of right groin pain and radiographic signs of joint space narrowing and osteophyte formation. Radiographs before hip arthroplasty showed lateral cortical thickening in the ipsilateral femur in the subtrochanteric region. The patient developed a complete periprosthesic atypical femoral fracture a month after surgery at the level of the previously identified femoral cortical thickening. Given the high amount of elderly, osteoporotic patients presenting with groin/thigh pain undergoing hip replacement, surgeons should question them about the use of bisphosphonates in the past and look for the presence of AFF. These should receive bilateral imaging studies and a metabolic bone workup in order to define the status of the fracture and determine the appropriate management before considering any other surgical intervention.

Prognosis of hip pain in general practice: a prospective followup study.

Hip pain in the elderly is the main feature of osteoarthritis of the hip. In this prospective followup study, we wanted to determine which patients with hip pain show disease progression, and what the incidence of total hip replacement (THR) is in this group of patients after 3 and 6 years of followup. Within general practices in the area of Rotterdam (The Netherlands), persons age > or = 50 years with incident hip pain were included. After 3 and 6 years, progression of hip pain was assessed. A total of 224 patients were included. After 3 years disease progressed in 29 (15%) patients and 23 (12%) received a THR. After 6 years disease progressed in 45 (28%) patients and 36 (22%) received a THR. The prognostic variables for a THR after 3 and 6 years related to history taking were age > or = 60 years, morning stiffness, and pain in the groin/medial thigh; variables related to physical examination were decreased extension/adduction, painful internal rotation, and a body mass index < or = 30 kg/m(2); and the variable related to radiologic findings was a Kellgren/Lawrence grade of 2 or higher. In this study population, approximately 12% of patients presenting with hip pain to their general practitioner will undergo a THR within 3 years, and approximately 22% after 6 years. Using the variables obtained from history taking, physical examination, and radiologic findings enables better identification of persons at high risk for a THR.

Arthroscopic Treatment for Primary Septic Arthritis of the Hip in Adults.

<iPurpose.</i Primary septic arthritis is a rare differential diagnosis of acute hip pain in adults. Inspired by the success of all-arthroscopic treatment in pediatric patients, we developed a diagnostic and surgical pathway for our adult patients. <iMethods.</i Seven patients, average age 44 ± 13.7 years with acute hip pain since 4.4 ± 2.9 days in the average, were included. Septic arthritis was confirmed by joint aspiration and dissemination was excluded by MRI and standard radiographs. Surgical treatment consisted of immediate arthroscopic lavage using 4 portals for debridement, high-volume irrigation, partial synovectomy, and drainage. <iResults.</i Patients were treated in hospital for 12.4 ± 3.1 days (range 7-16 days). WBC and CRP returned to physiological levels. During the mean follow-up of 26.4 ± 19.4 months (range 13-66 months) no patient showed recurrence of infection. The 5 patients with an unimpaired hip joint prior to the infection had a mean modified Harris Hip Score of 94 ± 5.6 points (range 91-100) at final follow-up. <iConclusions.</i Arthroscopic therapy using a minimally invasive approach with low perioperative morbidity for the treatment of primary septic arthritis of the adult hip is able to restore normal hip function in acute cases without dissemination of the infection. <iLevel of Evidence.</i IV.

[S3 Guideline. Part 1: Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Non-Traumatic Adult Femoral Head Necrosis].

Non-traumatic femoral head necrosis (FHN) is primarily a disease of the middle-aged adult. Early diagnosis, at a time with lacking or minimal clinical symptoms, is mandatory to consider conservative therapy or joint preserving operations as a therapeutic option. The new German S3 guideline about diagnosis and therapy of FHN is a cooperative effort of five professional medical societies, overall headed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie (DGOOC). This review (part I/III) cites and explains the statements of the S3 guideline as agreed on the use of imaging methods for diagnosis of FHN. A diagnostic algorithm is presented. FHN clinically has to be considered in case of equivocal pain of a hip joint with a minimum of 6 weeks duration, when risk factors can be revealed, groin pain at clinical investigation, limping, pain or limitation of movement in case of load, and no obvious differential diagnoses. Is an FHN clinically suspected, primarily radiographs of the pelvis ap and a Lauenstein projection of the hip involved should be carried out. When the radiographs are normal, an MRI of the hips should follow routinely. MRI allows the diagnosis of FNH with high accuracy. Furthermore, MRI reveals the site and the size of the necrotic area involved and evaluates the integrity of the joint surface and subchondral fractures. When ARCO stage II (ARCO: Association Research Circulation Osseous) is diagnosed and MRI does not allow one to determine the joint surface with certainty, a CT of the hip joints should be performed. The S3 guideline explains and recommends the use of the ARCO classification. Although, this classification of 1993 is still largely based on radiographs, the pragmatic use of an "extended" version seems reasonable. Today, classical radiographic criteria like impression of the joint surface and subchondral fractures ("crescent sign") are better to be evaluated by MRI, in cases of subtle findings MRI is even surpassed by CT. The extent of the necrosis in the femoral head as well as the size of the surface area involved is best revealed with MRI. Additionally, in the era of cross sectional imaging a stage "0" seems obsolete. The guideline also addresses practically important considerations about the differential diagnosis of misleading MRI findings. This especially holds true for bone marrow oedema in the femoral head which may be misinterpreted. The differentiating features between FHN, transient bone marrow oedema and destructive arthropathy are discussed.

[Imaging of chronic hip pain in adults].

Adult hip pathologies are mainly represented by the degenerative disease, so called "osteoarthrosis, or more precisely coxarthrosis". The means of imaging are exposed, according to their specific value: X Rays (measurement of the characteristic angles of the adult hip), Arthrography, CT Scanner, Arthro-CT Scanner, MRI, Bone Scintigraphy, Ultrasonography. Clinical findings differentiate a mechanical syndrome and an inflammatory syndrome. The coxarthrosis is the most frequent, under two forms: primary (idiopathic) coxarthrosis and secondary coxarthrosis. Primary (idiopathic) coxarthrosis has a localised narrowing of the joint space, osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis, cyst formation. The destruction progresses slowly, in 10 to 15 years leading to a complete destruction. Bilaterality is frequent. it is treated with total hip prosthesis. There is a rapid form (1 to 2 years) (Postel's Disease). Secondary coxarthrosis occurs after architectural vice, chondral diseases, lack of balance between the size of the head and the acetabulum as in the case of previous fracture or dislocation, avascular bone necrosis of the head of the femur, Paget's disease. Calcium pyrophosphate Deposition disease (CPPD) involves mostly aged women, and also leads to cox-arthrosis. Avascular bone necrosis of the head of the femur involves young adults. Bilateral involvement are frequent. MRI is the most sensitive and the most specific means of early diagnosis, The area of bone necrosis appears as well defined modifications of the upper head of the femur, precisely surrounded by a low signal intensity line on both Ti and T2 weighted imaging. MRI shows articular effusion, bone marrow edema. Scintigraphy gives early findings which are a characteristic, but non specific, hot spot. CT scanner is used for hip destruction evaluation. o Algodystrophy: transient osteoporosis of the hip has a cyclic course, lasting 3 to 9 months. MRI shows an inflammatory pattern in the area of the process(dark in Ti and white in T2, with positive Gadolinium response). Scintigraphy is positive. Staphylococcus location in the hip can be acute or chronic. MRI shows joint effusion, cystic formation and subchondral non specific modifications. Tuberculosis of the hip joint is relatively rare. Greater trochanteric tuberculous involvement is possible under special contexts. Chronic Inflammatory diseases are represented by Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondylarthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. Synovial tumors such as Pigmented Villo Nodular Synovitis, Primary Osteochondromatosis, synovial sarcoma have special presentations. The subchondral bone can be involved by amorphous depositions such as in tophaceous gout, different varieties of lipidosis, amyloidosis, reticulo histiocytosis. Pen arthropathies are enthesopathies in the anterior rectus tendon, calcifying tendonitis (not to be confused with calcifying soft tissue tumor/chondrosarcoma). The pelvis bone and the femur are involved by primary and secondary tumors or by insufficiency fractures which can mislead to hip pathologies.

[Study of a painful total hip prosthesis].

The authors propose a simple routine survey to be performed in the case of a painful total hip prosthesis which is generally able to define the diagnosis and the prognosis. X-ray films are more valuable by their repetition than by their simple analysis. Certain minor signs can help predict or detect loosening of the prosthesis or other complications, but in the great majority of cases, radiology alone is not sufficient to make the diagnosis, as the films are only able to show clear spaces around the prosthesis, without being able to definitely confirm the aetiopathogenic significance of this sign. In these cases, when the decision has not been taken to re-operate, more sophisticated investigations are required (scintigraphy, dynamic tests, arthrography), although they must be used with caution as very often the clinical findings will have the last word.

Structural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables on joint space loss in osteoarthritis of the hip.

To evaluate the structural effect of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. Patients with regular painful primary OA of the hip (European League Against Rheumatism 1980 criteria) and a joint space still > or = 1 mm (Kellgren grade 1 to 3, assessed by an independent observer prior to inclusion) entered a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 2 years duration. Patients had at least a 6-month history of regular pain and an algofunctional index (AFI) > or = 4. The primary assessment criterion was a decrease of the joint space width (JSW) on plain anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis performed in standing position, measured at the narrowest points by 2 independent readers, previously tested and selected and blinded to both the treatment and the time sequence. Secondary criteria were standard clinical outcome measurements (AFI, pain on a visual analog scale, consumption of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and patient's and investigator's global assessments). One hundred sixty-three patients were included: 102 men and 61 women (mean age 63.2 +/- 8.7 years). A total of 108 patients (72 men and 36 women; mean age 64 +/- 7.9 years) were radiologically evaluable at 23.7 +/- 2.6 months (ASU group; n = 55) and 23.7 +/- 3.2 months (placebo group; n = 53). Overall comparison of the evolution of JSW showed no difference between the ASU and placebo groups, from 2.35 +/- 0.93 to 1.87 +/- 1.10 mm and from 2.5 +/- 0.94 to 1.9 +/- 1.33 mm, respectively (intergroup P value at end point = 0.9). When patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to the median value of the baseline JSW (2.45 mm), the joint space loss in the most severely affected subgroup of patients (baseline JSW < or = median) was significantly greater in the placebo group than in the ASU group: from 1.69 +/- 0.58 to 0.84 +/- 0.77 mm (-0.86 +/- 0.62 mm) and from 1.66 +/- 0.42 to 1.22 +/- 0.7 mm (-0.43 +/- 0.51 mm), respectively (P < 0.01). The JSW decrease was identical, with no difference in ASU and placebo groups, in the less severely affected subgroup of patients (baseline JSW > median). Clinical parameters in the 2 groups did not differ significantly throughout the study. This pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial failed to demonstrate a structural effect of ASU in hip OA. However, in a post-hoc analysis, ASU significantly reduced the progression of joint space loss as compared with placebo in the subgroup of patients with advanced joint space narrowing. These results suggest that ASU could have a structural effect but require confirmation in a larger placebo-controlled study in hip OA.

[Hip arthroscopy: differential diagnosis of pain around the hip joint].

Hip arthroscopy is one of the most highly evolving surgical techniques in recent years. It plays a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of hip pathologies. The evaluation of the painful hip requires meticulous history taking, elaborated physical examination, and basic and advanced imaging modalities. The differential diagnosis includes a continuously growing number of diagnoses. Once considered an "operation looking for indications", the current indications for hip arthroscopy are based on a better understanding of pathologies around the hip joint. The results of recently published intermediate and long term clinical outcome studies are encouraging. Ongoing, comprehensive understanding of the correlation between pathologies and clinical presentation will improve the surgical technique, which in turn may become a joint preserving operation.

Radiographic case definitions and prevalence of osteoarthrosis of the hip: a survey of 4 151 subjects in the Osteoarthritis Substudy of the Copenhagen City Heart Study.

The diagnosis of osteoarthrosis (OA) is founded on radiographic evidence of joint degeneration and characteristic subjective symptoms. Due to the lack of consensus radiographic case definitions, the prevalence and incidence of OA reported in the literature varies. The aims of the current study were to establish an accurate and workable radiographic definition of OA in hip joints and to examine the association of OA (thus defined) with self-reported pain. Radiographic features of hip OA were classified in pelvic radiographs of 3 807 subjects (1448 males and 2 359 females) according to the OA classifications of Kellgren and Lawrence (1957) and Croft (1990), and according to minimum joint space width (JSW) of 2.0 mm regardless of other radiographic features of OA. The relationships between these radiographic discriminators and self-reported hip pain were investigated. Formation of cysts, osteophytes and subchondral sclerosis was significantly more frequent in men. Average minimum JSW was narrower in women than in men (p < 0.001). In both sexes, minimum JSW decreased after the fourth decade of life, but progressively more so in women. Women reported hip pain more frequently than men (p < 0.001). When the cut-off JSW value of 2.0 mm was applied regardless of other radiographic features of OA, prevalences of hip OA ranged from 4.4% to 5.3% in subjects > or = 60 years of age. The radiographic discriminator with the strongest association with self-reported hip pain in men and women > or = 60 years of age was minimum JSW < or = 2.0 mm; OR = 3.3 (95% CI 1.9-5.7) for men, and OR = 3.2 (95% CI 1.9-5.2) for women. We found that minimum JSW < or = 2.0 mm was the radiographic criterion having the closest association with self-reported hip pain. Using composite OA scores emphasizing the relatively inconsequential formation of cysts, osteophytes and subchondral sclerosis runs the risk of over-inflating the prevalence of hip OA in men and of underestimating hip OA prevalence in women.

Predictors of hip joint replacement in new attenders in primary care with hip pain.

Studies investigating the factors associated with need for total hip replacement should ideally be based on prospective investigation of new attenders in primary care. To determine the incidence of listing for total hip replacement, and its predictors, among attenders in primary care with a new episode of hip pain. Prospective multicentre cohort study. One hundred and ninety-five patients (mean age = 63 years, 68% female) with new episode of hip pain, attending primary care between November 1994 and October 1997. At the first visit, patients were evaluated for indices of pain and disability, range of hip movement, and radiographic changes of osteoarthritis. General practitioner participants were recruited from the membership of the Primary Care Rheumatology Society to recruit all consecutive attenders with a new episode of hip pain. Annual follow-up was carried out to determine which patients were being 'put on a waiting list' for total hip replacement. Seven per cent of patients were put on a waiting list for total hip replacement within 12 months and 23% of patients within four years. At presentation, pain duration, pain severity, (including the need to use a stick) and restriction of internal rotation were the major clinical predictors of being put on a waiting list. Radiographic predictors of osteoarthritis performed similarly to the clinical measures. A simple scoring system based on both radiographic severity and two of the clinical measures was derived that identified groups at high likelihood of being put on a waiting list (sensitivity = 76%) with a low false-positive rate (specificity = 95%). New primary care attenders with pain are frequently accepted for total hip replacement soon after their first attendance--a decision that can be predicted by simple clinical measures.