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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy
Published on: November 28, 2025
Computer-aided joint space analysis (CAJSA) of the proximal-interphalangeal joint-normative age-related and gender
Alexander Pfeil1, Joachim Böttcher, Bettina E Seidl
1Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747 Jena, Germany. Pfeil.A@gmx.de
Rationale And Objectives:
To provide reference data for computer-aided joint space analysis (CAJSA) based on a semiautomated and computer-aided diagnostic system for the measurement of joint space widths (ie, proximal-interphalangeal joint), considering gender-specific and age-related differences.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 869 subjects were enrolled (351 females/518 males) with radiographs of the hand. All participants underwent measurements of joint space distances at the proximal-interphalangeal articulation (JSD-PIP) of the second to fifth finger using CAJSA technology.
Results:
The data verify a notable age-related decrease of CAJSA parameters, showing an accentuated age-related joint space narrowing in women. Additionally, males showed a significant wider JSD-PIP (+15.4%) compared with the female cohort for all age groups.
Conclusions:
Our data present gender-specific and age-related normative reference values for computer-aided joint space analysis of JSD-PIP and provide a valid and reliable quantification of disease-related joint space narrowing, particularly in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis involving the peripheral small hand joints.
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