Patterns of Central Acetabular Osteophytosis in Osteoarthritis of the Hip

Abstract

The authors demonstrated a close relationship between the degree of marginal and femoral osteophytes with those found centrally, indicating a temporal relationship. The new radiographic signs discussed are: 1) a fine linear density associated with early osteoarthritis; 2) larger, more irregular densities associated with a more advanced stage of osteoarthritis; and 3) obliteration of the acetabular fossa by excrescences as found in severe osteoarthritis.