An 11-year-old female patient presented with right hip joint pain and limping for one month. She reported a fall during playing. There was no history of fever.
She was evaluated with radiograph of pelvis which showed mild right hip joint space reduction. Further evaluation was done with MRI to look for the cause of the persistent pain. MRI revealed wedge-shaped T1 hypointense, T2/STIR hyperintense area in the mid region of the right femoral head with mild thinning of the articular cartilage and narrowing of the joint space. The acetabulum appeared normal. Mild joint effusion and synovial thickening was seen. The femoral head contour and alignment of the hip joint were within normal limits. She was managed conservatively with analgesics and rest.
Progressive articular cartilage loss in the femoral head and acetabulum is referred to as chondrolysis of the hip. This phenomenon finally results in severe joint space narrowing and restricted joint movements. In 1930 the first case of hip chondrolysis was reported by Waldenstrom [1]. Chondrolysis occurs in children as well as in adults [2].
Many paediatric conditions can lead to chondrolysis of the hip such as slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Perthe’s disease, trauma, immobilisation for a long time, infective/inflammatory joint diseases and malignancies. However, when no cause for chondrolysis is identified it is labelled as idiopathic [3].
Idiopathic chondrolysis of the hip (ICH) is commonly seen in adolescents and young children in the age group of 9-12 years with female predilection. It is most commonly unilateral, often seen involving the right joint. Patients present with painful hip sometimes associated with restriction of movements, often without an identifiable cause.
Initial radiographs of the hip are usually normal. MRI is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and also to rule out certain identifiable causes. There is wedge-shaped marrow oedema (T1-hypointensity, T2-hyperintensity) in the middle of the femoral head in the early stage [4]. Fluid-sensitive sequences with fat-suppression like STIR can make it more conspicuous. Progressive disease manifests as articular cartilage loss, joint space reduction, acetabular changes, finally secondary osteoarthritis and spontaneous fusion of the joint. CT can be used as a problem-solving tool in doubtful advanced cases.
The staging method includes [5]:
Stage 0 – Normal imaging
Stage 1 – Variable reduction in the hip joint space. Wedge-shaped focal area of marrow oedema (characteristic and earliest finding in MRI) located in the middle third of the femoral head in coronal images + synovial hypertrophy and joint effusion.
Stage 2 – Marrow oedema in the superomedial aspect of the acetabulum along the triradiate cartilage in addition to the above findings. There may be protrusio acetabuli.
Stage 3 – Enlargement of the marrow oedema seen in the proximal femoral epiphysis, femoral head collapse, widely involved acetabulum, osteoporotic and degenerative changes (fibrous ankylosis) ± femoral head overgrowing on the neck (“buttress” sign).
The natural course of the disease is reversible with conservative management focusing on alleviating pain, rest, and avoiding weight bearing. If neglected initially it can progress to severe joint deformation and end up with spontaneous ankylosis in which case surgical management [6] is warranted.
It is prudent to know the various stages of ICH on imaging so that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can limit permanent joint deformities.
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Idiopathic chondrolysis of right hip joint
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In the provided anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the pelvis, the right hip joint space appears relatively narrowed compared to the left side, accompanied by slight morphological changes. There is no obvious sign of perilesional bony destruction. The soft tissue contours are generally intact, and no clear fracture lines are observed.
MRI images (including T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and STIR sequences) show a wedge-shaped bone marrow edema signal in the central area of the right femoral head: low signal on T1-weighted images and high signal on T2/STIR sequences. A small amount of joint effusion can be observed in the right hip joint cavity, with capsular thickening and mild synovial hypertrophy. No significant bony destruction or large necrotic area is evident, but there is a local thinning of the articular cartilage, suggesting possible cartilage pathology.
Considering the clinical symptoms (persistent hip pain, limping for one month, no obvious infection or fever) and the early MRI features (prominent wedge-shaped edema in the center of the femoral head, early thinning of the articular cartilage), the most likely diagnosis is Idiopathic Chondrolysis of the Hip (ICH).
Treatment Strategy:
1) Mainly conservative management: reduce weight-bearing, use assistive devices such as braces or crutches to relieve joint stress, and take oral or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain and inflammation.
2) Regular imaging follow-up: assess the progression of the joint cartilage and bone structure. If further deterioration or lack of improvement occurs, surgical intervention (e.g., capsular release, arthrodesis, or arthroplasty) may be considered.
3) If any signs suggest infection or other complications, further blood tests and joint fluid analysis may be required to rule out infectious and other secondary causes.
Rehabilitation and Exercise Prescription (FITT-VP Principle):
1) Early Stage (Symptom Control Phase):
2) Mid Stage (Functional Recovery Phase):
3) Late Stage (Advanced Rehabilitation and Return to Daily Activities):
Throughout the rehabilitation process, closely monitor pain, joint range of motion, and muscle strength. If any acute exacerbation or new symptoms arise, return for medical evaluation and adjust the rehabilitation plan accordingly.
Disclaimer: This report provides a reference analysis based on the available medical history and imaging findings and does not replace in-person consultation or professional medical advice. If you have any questions or if symptoms worsen, please seek medical attention promptly.
Idiopathic chondrolysis of right hip joint