Measurement of Hip Joint Width in Acromegaly

ABSTRACTAcromegaly is a well‐recognised cause of synovial joint space widening. This is due to thickening of the hyaline articular cartilage. The range of joint widening has been measured in the hands, but has not previously been reported in the hips. 18 known acromegalic patients were compared to a group of 75 age and sex‐matched controls. The vertical hip joint space width in the acromegalics ranged from 4 mm to 10 mm with a mean of 7.33 mm (2SD = 3.92), compared to the normal range of 3 mm to 5.5 mm with a mean of 4.1 mm (2SD = 1.88). A hip joint width of 6 mm or greater in the absence of hip dysplasia or subluxation is thought to be characteristic of acromegaly.