Specific Landmarks on Radiographs as Diagnostic Tools in Determining Hip Diseases in the Cross River State of Nigeria

SUMMARY A total of 200 normal radiographs of the pelvis were studied. The mean distance between the ilioischial and acetabular lines and the hip joint spaces (superior, axial and medial) were measured on each of the films obtained from the Cross River State of Nigeria. The minimum ranges for the ilioischial/acetabular distance for different age groups and sexes in the local population were worked out. Ranges for the hip‐joint spaces for both males and females were determined. Comparisons were made between local joint space measurements and those obtained from other parts of the world. The difference between the male and female ilioischial/acetabular distance was found to be insignificant except in the age group 2–12 years. The joint space difference between male and female was only significant for the medial joint space. The hip joint spaces in Nigeria are smaller than those obtained from Europe and U.S.A. From analysis it was found that protrusio acetabuli is established in Nigerians if the acetabular line projects medially beyond the ilioischial line by 1 mm or more in males and 2.5 mm or more in females. These values are much smaller than those obtained by Armbuster et al , (1978) in the U.S.A.