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Figure 2A |
Figure 2B |
Wear of articular cartilage can be seen on x-rays as a decrease in the space between the bones. In general, extensive loss of articular cartilage is accompanied by extensive loss of meniscal cartilage. When the cartilage is completely worn away, the x-rays show that the bones are now in direct contact. Loss of articular cartilage increases the amount of stress on the ends of the bones resulting in the growth of bone spurs, or osteophytes, at the margins of the joint. Front and side x-ray views of an arthritic knee are shown in Figures 2A and 2B respectively. On the front view (Figure 2A), note the absence of space between the bones as indicated by the arrows. This loss of joint space occurs because the articular cartilage has worn away. The bone reacts to the loss of cartilage by making bone spurs (osteophytes). These bone spurs can be seen on the side view (Figure 2B) as indicated by the arrows.
Total Hip Replacement
Orthes, spol. s r.o., Palackého 481, 756 61 Rožnov p./R., tel.: +420 651 757940-4, Fax: +420 651 620923, e-mail: orthes@orthes.cz
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ORTHES, spol. s.r.o. 2001