Late effects of JRA on the hip

Osseous changes at the hips were seen in the radiographs of 36 children with long-standing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and no significant steroid therapy. Seven boys and one girl had progressive primary inflammatory destruction of the hip with erosive arthritis and progressive joint space narrowing. Twenty-one girls and seven boys revealed adaptive developmental changes in the growing skeleton without erosion. Both courses resulted in secondary osteoarthritis and functional disability. Early recognition of adaptive, developmental changes may identify a group of children who may benefit from orthopedic intervention to maintain concentric, congruent reduction at the hip.