OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in the joint space of patients with hip osteoarthrosis using radiographic studies that include positions lying on the back and standing on one foot. METHODS: The sample of this study includes 74 X-rays. Half of them were made with the patients lying on their backs, and in the other half, the patients were standing on one foot. A ruler with millimeter markings and a magnifying lens were used to measure the hips. The space between the acetabulum and the femoral head (EACF) was measured using X-rays centered on the hip. RESULTS: Comparing 74 X-rays with hip osteoarthrosis taken with the patient lying on the back and standing on one foot, conclusion is that there is a statistically significant difference between the positions studied, from 1.47 to 1.12 mm, respectively (p < 0.0001). The correlation was 0.952 with p < 0.0001. The paired t student test for the lying on the back sample and for the upright sample showed a confidence interval of 0.2671 to 0,4302, with p < 0.0001, double tailed. CONCLUSION: X-rays measured in the upright position standing on a single foot provide a better evaluation of the joint space and of the degree of arthrosis.
Osteoarthritis; Hip joint; Radiography
