Solomon's 1976 prospective study of 327 operative hip OA cases combines clinical history, radiography, and morbid anatomy of excised femoral heads to test whether 'primary' osteoarthritis truly exists — or whether identifiable underlying joint pathology can be found in virtually every case.
This study reinforces the importance of carefully evaluating young patients with hip osteoarthritis for underlying structural abnormalities rather than assuming primary disease. The gender distributions provide clues—look for acetabular dysplasia in women and femoral abnormalities in men.
Solomon's 1976 prospective study of 327 operative hip OA cases combines clinical history, radiography, and morbid anatomy of excised femoral heads to test whether 'primary' osteoarthritis truly exists — or whether identifiable underlying joint pathology can be found in virtually every case.
This study reinforces the importance of carefully evaluating young patients with hip osteoarthritis for underlying structural abnormalities rather than assuming primary disease. The gender distributions provide clues—look for acetabular dysplasia in women and femoral abnormalities in men.