Plain X-Ray and MRI Evaluation of Painful Hip Joint

Abstract

Background: Hip joint pain is a frequent problem in current practice and can be due to different causes since the investigations are invariably used to diagnose the source of the injury. The primary examination is accompanied by MRI, which is a valuable instrument in hip disease evaluation since it requires a detailed study of articular cartilage, epiphysis, joint fluids, bone marrow and extra-articular soft tissue which may be impaired by hip disease. Subjects and Methods: In a total of 60 individuals who had hip joint pain and subsequently had plain radiographs accompanied by the hip joint MRI was studied in a prospective cross-sectional analysis. The data is interpreted and the results of basic X-rays are compared to the MRI. Results: Of the 70 cases the males (67%) are commonly affected than females (33%). The majority of the patients fall under the age group of 31-40 years (28.33%). In our study, we find the commonest pathology for the hip joint pain is AVN of femoral  head 20 cases (28.57%), followed by joint effusion 15 cases (21.42%), Osteoarthritis 13 cases (18.57%), TB hip 10 cases (14.28%), Perthes 4 cases (5.71%), DDH 4 cases (5.71%) and metastatic disease 4 cases (5.71%). Of the twenty AVN cases, only 6 (30%) are found on a plain x-ray whereas all 20 (100%) are detected on MRI. Similarly, out of 15 cases diagnosed as joint effusion, only 5cases (33.33%) are detected on plain radiograph, but all the 12 cases (100%) are detected on MRI. The remaining 100% pathologies are observed on X-ray and MRI; moreover, MRI helps to improve the identification of articular cartilage, epiphysis, and additional soft tissue articular anomalies. Conclusion: MRI is a better way to identify joint effusion and synovial proliferation. Unlike standard x-rays. In proven cases with clear radiography such as Perthes and metastatic disease, Hip MRI helps to enhance disease staging, clinical implication, and soft tissue expansion.