CLEARANCE OF TECHNETIUM PERTECHNETATE FROM THE HIP JOINT WITH ARTHROSIS DEFORMANS

In patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, technetium 99m pertechnetate was injected into the hip joint cavity under fluoroscopy, and the clearance was measured by scintillation counter.An obvious correlation with the clinical and roentgen findings was seen in the slope ratio of the radioisotope clearance rate when affected and healthy sides were compared.In prearthrosis and initial arthrosis, the slope ratio was usually more than 1.0 indicating a relative increase in the clearance rate on the affected side, while in advanced and terminal arthrosis, the slope ratio was usually less than 1.0 indicating a relative decrease in the clearance rate on the affected side.