Regional Articular Cartilage Abnormalities of the Hip

Imaging of hip cartilage is challenging because of its limited thickness and complex geometry and therefore requires advanced MRI techniques. However, cartilage abnormalities are found in a number of disease entities, and their diagnosis may impact patient management. This article will provide pertinent information about the motivation to image hip cartilage, which imaging techniques to use, and how to analyze cartilage; finally, we will discuss disease entities with regional cartilage lesions, including the typical MRI findings.

Because the detection and quantification of regional cartilage abnormalities are critical for guidance of operative and nonoperative management of hip disorders, radiologists should be familiar with imaging and analysis techniques for assessing hip cartilage.