[A retrospective analysis of x-ray changes of the hip joint]

In 74 patients who had an endoprothesis implanted for a radiologically defined coxarthrosis preoperative radiographs were compared with contact radiographs of the resected femur head. In case of a reduction of the radiological width of the articular cavity an evaluation of the underlying cartilage damage at the femur head and the acetabulum is possible in one half of the cases. We were able to confirm cysts on the post-resection radiographs in 85.1% of the cases. Small bone fragments interpreted as necrosis, bone sclerosis and small indents of the femur head were confirmed in 70% of the cases. In the resected joint 7.8% more erosions were found than in-vivo. Sclerotic atrophy was seen twice as often in the resected joint than in-vivo. A comparison of the trabecules of the spongiosa for the evaluation of bone structure is possible only in part with the method described here.