A Systematic Approach to Evaluating Hip Radiographs – A Focus on Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the hip continues to be a common cause of disability affecting millions worldwide. Identifying radiographic changes can help provide an accurate diagnosis and help guide the clinical decision making process. Obtaining proper, reliable radiographic views and having standardized parameters for assessing plain radiographs are essential to the management of hip osteoarthritis. The purpose of this review is to provide Internists, Physiatrists, Rheumatologists, and Orthopedic Surgeons a systematic method for evaluating radiographs to determine the appropriate diagnosis, treatment approach, and timing of referral in the patient with hip osteoarthritis.