HOW COMMON IS HIP JOINT INVOLVEMENT IN ANK SPOND:
Hip involvement in Ankylosing spondylitis has been reported in up to a 1/3rd of patients and is usually bilateral.
WHY DOES IT OCCUR:
- Its primarily an inflammatory process. This results in cartilage destruction and loss of joint space.
- Eventually it can result in joint fibrosis and ankylosis.
WHO GETS IT:
- The younger the age of onset of AS, the more likely hip involvement is.
- Peripheral joint involvement increases with increasing duration of AS.
WHAT CAN BE DONE:
THR can result in in improved hip function and mobility.
KEY POINT:
On the AP X-ray for anyone with an axial Spondyloarthropathy, don’t forget to assess and comment on the hip joints.
- Ankylosing spondylitis peripheral joint Hip involvement.
- This post has been made in conjunction with Dr Joe Thomas, a Senior Consultant Rheumatologist in Kochi India with a vast amount of clinical experience. He also happens to have a very strong interest in Imaging of Arthropathies and has joined us to bring a clinical perspective to the imaging and to advise on what rheumatologists want when we report their referrals.
- This is the first of what will be many joint posts with Joe on Imaging in Arthropathies.
