Osteoarthritis hip - grading Dr Henry Knipe and Dr Paresh K Desai et al. .

Osteoarthritis of the hip can be graded according to severity on imaging. Plain film grading grade 0 - normal grade 1 - possible joint space narrowing and subtle osteophytes grade 2 - definite joint space narrowing, defined osteophytes and some sclerosis, especially in acetabular region grade 3 - marked joint space narrowing, small osteophytes, some sclerosis and cyst formation and deformity of femoral head and acetabulum grade 4 - gross loss of joint space with above features plus large osteophytes and increased deformity of the femoral head and acetabulum MRI grading grade 0 - normal grade 1 - inhomogeneous high signal intensity in cartilage (T2WI) grade 2 - inhomogeneity with areas of high signal intensity in articular cartilage (T2WI); indistinct trabaculae or signal intensity loss in femoral head & neck (T1WI) grade 3 - criteria of Stage 1 & 2 plus indistinct zone between femoral head & acetabulum; subchondral signal loss due to bone sclerosis grade 4 - above criteria plus femoral head deformity