Hip Arthrography

Abstract

Hip arthrography serves a variety of purposes that depend on the suspected abnormality. As in other types of arthrography, a major purpose is to make visible intra-articular structures like the synovial lining of the capsule, articular cartilages, and abnormal contents of the joint. Since the hip joint may be difficult to aspirate, particularly when it is not distended by fluid, the arthrogram after an attempted aspiration also serves to prove that the needle tip was indeed intra-articular. I consider it best to discuss arthrography of the hip in terms of the patient’s age and, secondarily, in terms of the disease to be investigated.