No Differences in Hip Joint Space Measurements between Weightbearing or Supine Anteroposterior Pelvic Radiographs

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess if there are any significant differences in hip joint space width (JSW) between weightbearing versus supine pelvic radiographs. Methods Standing and supine anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs of 86 patients (146 hips) were included. Sample size was sufficiently powered to assess for equivalence between standing and supine films for JSW measurements made at the medial, lateral, and central aspects of the sourcil line. Measurements were made by 2 independent reviewers blinded to patient positioning. Each reviewer repeated a subset of the measurements to assess intra-rater reproducibility. Mean differences in joint space measurements between standing and supine radiographs were reported for each point of the sourcil. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for inter and intra-rater reliability were also calculated. Results There were no significant differences between JSW measurements made on standing and supine pelvic radiographs (p=0.468). Furthermore, equivalence testing demonstrated statistical equivalence between standing and supine JSW measurements made based on an equivalence threshold of ± 0.5 mm. Inter-rater reliability demonstrated good agreement with an overall ICC of 0.775 (95% CI: 0.734—0.809). Intra-rater reliability also demonstrated good agreement with ICC’s of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.758—0.889) and 0.798 (95% CI: 0.721—0.851) for the two reviewers, respectively. Conclusion Joint space width measurements on standing and supine pelvic radiographs were not significantly different, and their interrater agreement and intrarater reproducibility demonstrated good reliability and repeatability. Therefore, either may be utilized to assess joint space width, including measurements that may impact treatment decisions for hip arthroscopy.