Roentgenometric assessment of spine shape in patients with a flexion contracture of hip as a consequence of hip osteoarthrosis

OBJECTIVE: Current knowledge on influence of hip arthrosis on shape of the lumbar spine is insufficient. Also universal method of roentgenometric assessment of lumbar spine is not yet accepted. The aim of this study was the evaluation of influence of the degree of hip arthrosis on the shape of the spine in a sagittal plane measured by means of selected, roentgenometric parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 120 patients with hip osteoarthrosis, including 64 women and 56 men. Average age was 69.5 (range from 41 to 81 years). The analysis focused on the influence of age, flexion contracture and radiological degree of arthrosis on selected roentgenometric parameters of lumbar lordosis in the upright and supine positions: Fergusson angle (F), total lordosis angle (Th12-S1), lower lordosis angle (L3-L4/L5-S1), upper lordosis angle (L1-L2/L3-L4). RESULTS: Correlation index between flexion contracture of the hip and total lordosis angle calculated in the upright and supine positions amounted to 0.627 (p < 0.0001) to 0.554 (p < 0.0001) respectively. For the Fergusson's angle correlation index ranged between 0.879 (p <0.001) to 0.758 (p <0.0001) respectively. Differences between average values of individual parameters in groups with varying degrees of arthrosis ranging at the significance level from p <0.0001 for total lordosis angle and Fergusson angle top < 0.04 for lower lordosis angle prove the interdependence between the degree of lumbar lordosis of the spine and hip joint osteoarthrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The Fergusson angle and total lordosis angle of Th12-S1 are the most sensitive roentgenometric parameters to the severity the hip arthrosis represented by it's flexion contracture.