OBJECTIVE: Patients with spinal injury patients are submitted to a new kind of force on their joints. The hip is one of the most affected joints, because these usually use wheelchairs to move around. Osteoarticular changes, like heterotopic ossification, can be seen in these patients, as shown in radiographic studies. This study aims to identify radiographic changes in hips of spinal injured patients. METHODS: 15 patients (30 hips) were analyzed, who were in follow-up at the Biomechanic Reabilitation of Osteoarticular System Laboratory of HC-Unicamp. Their hip x-rays were analyzed in two positions (anteroposterior and Lowenstein). RESULTS: Of the total hips, only seven (23%) had no evidence of articular damage. The prevalence of heterotopic ossification found (16.6%) was similar to the literature. CONCLUSION: The radiographic assessment of these patient's hips is justified by the prevalence of joint changes found. Level of Evidence II, Development of diagnostic criteria in consecutive patients (with universally applied reference "gold" standard).
Spinal cord injuries; Hip; Radiograph; Ossification, heterotopic; Spinal injury
