Three-dimensional assessment of the hip joint by two-directional arthrography.

Abstract This retrospective study involved assessment of the three-dimensional bony and cartilaginous cover of the hip acetabular shelf of the hip joint using arthrograms. The extent of lateral and anteroposterior cover, the time course of the changes of cover in each direction, and the relationship between lateral and anteroposterior cover were investigated. It was found that the final extent of acetabular cover could be predicted sooner from the cartilaginous cover than from the bony cover on both the contralateral side and the affected side. There was no significant correlation between lateral and anteroposterior cover on the contralateral side, suggesting the need for assessment of anteroposterior cover to avoid a late diagnosis of anterior acetabular dysplasia.