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Are radiological joint space widths of normal hips asymmetrical?
P Reis1, R Nahal-Said, P Ravaud
1Department of Rheumatology, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|June 12, 1999
Summary
Understanding physiological asymmetry in hip joint space width is crucial for diagnosing hip pain. This study quantifies normal variations and asymmetry in joint space width, providing essential reference data.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- Accurate diagnosis of hip joint pain requires understanding normal variations in joint space width.
- Physiological dissymmetry between the left and right hip joint space width is not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify interindividual variability in pelvic radiological joint space width.
- To assess the degree and frequency of dissymmetry in hip joint space width.
Main Methods:
- Pelvic radiographs of 171 healthy subjects were analyzed.
- Joint space width was measured at the superointermediate hip site using precise tools.
- Measurements were performed by a single blinded investigator to minimize bias.
Main Results:
- Significant interindividual variability in hip joint space width was confirmed.
- The study identified the frequency and limits of hip joint space asymmetry.
- Asymmetry was found to be independent of overall joint space width variability and exceeded measurement error.
Conclusions:
- Hip joint space width exhibits considerable interindividual variability.
- Hip joint space asymmetry is common and its limits have been defined.
- This data is vital for interpreting joint space width in clinical assessments of hip conditions.