To compare the value of Lequesne's false profile (LFP) radiograph of the hip and antero-posterior (AP) X-ray of the pelvis in the assessment of joint space narrowing (JSN) and osteophyte (Ost) in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA).
AP and LFP radiographs of the hip were performed using a standardized method in 50 consecutive patients with hip OA. JSN and Ost were graded at different days by a single observer blinded for patients identity, using a six point scale (JSN:0-5) and a four point scale (Ost:0-3) from AP and LFP respectively. Scores obtained from AP and LFP were compared.
Mean JSN grade was significantly higher for LFP (2. 7+/-1.0) than AP (2.4+/-1.2) (P=0.001). It was identical for AP and LFP in 28 patients (56%) while the highest grade was found on LFP in 16 (32%) and on AP in 6 (12%). No significant difference between LFP and AP was found for osteophyte grading.
These data suggest that the combination AP+LFP provide more information than AP alone for the evaluation of joint space narrowing in about one third of patients. LFP may be helpful for the radiographic assessment of OA changes particularly in structure modifying drugs evaluation.