PATTERNS OF CENTRAL ACETABULAR OSTEOPHYTOSIS IN OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THEHIP

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. The frequency and morphology of central acet abular osteophyte formation were evaluated in patients with osteoarthr itis; METHODS. One hundred preserved acetabular specimens were evaluat ed for the occurence of cental osteophytes (excrescences present in th e articulation of the hip joint), their relationship to marginal and f emoral osteophytes of the hip, and their radiographic appearance. RESU LTS. In both specimen and patient analysis, the authors found that cen tral excrescences occur commonly and appear to be related temporally t o osteophytes of the femur and the margin of the acetabulum. CONCLUSIO NS. The authors demonstrated a close relationship between the degree o f marginal and femoral osteophytes with those found centrally, indicat ing a temporal relationship. The new radiographic signs discussed are: 1) a fine linear density associated with early osteoarthritis; 2) lar ger, more irregular densities associated with a more advanced stage of osteoarthritis; and 3) obliteration of the acetabular fossa by excres cences as found in severe osteoarthritis.