Predicting The Progression Of Osteoarthritis

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopedics
Article Date: 08 Feb 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The progression of arthritis from early joint degeneration to full blown disease has, in previous studies, been linked to impingement of the hip joint in adolescents. However, research published today in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume shows that not all patients with femoroacetabular impingement 'will eventually develop osteoarthritis of the hip'.

The paper investigated radiological parameters of the structural aspects of the hip joint over 10 years and of the 43 hips studied 28 showed evidence of the progression of osteoarthritis. Comparison of the two groups showed 'a significant difference in the mean medial proximal femoral angle and the presence of the posterior wall sign'.

However, within the group of 28, not all progressed evenly from mild to severe arthritis. For one-third progression did not manifest itself within the 10 year time frame of the study. Therefore, the results show that 'a hip with cam impingement is not always destined for end-stage arthritic degeneration'.

The authors conclude that despite 'improved insight into the pathomechanics of the hip, it is not clear which particular patients with femoroacetabular impingement will eventually develop osteoarthritis of the hip'.

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- The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume is a world leading orthopaedics journal with an Impact Factor of 1.868

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Becky Hall
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, British Volume
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