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OBJECTIVES: To determine and compare the aetiological background, clinical patterns and radiological features of idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and the knee warranting arthroplasty. METHODS: A total of 402 Caucasians consecutively undergoing total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) for idiopathic OA at a major centre was surveyed. RESULTS: Previous joint injury was more common in the TKR group (P < 0.0001). However, both groups manifested a mixed occupational background, body mass indices similar to the general population and a predominance of females (F:M = 1.3-1.4:1). The TKR group had a significantly younger age of symptom onset (56 yr) than the THR group (61 yr) but both groups had a tendency to bilateral arthroplasty (33%), nodal involvement (54-59%), a significant excess of right-sided replacements (1.8:1, THR; 2.2:1, TKR) and similar levels of pre-operative pain and disability. Up to 40% of hips manifested acetabular dysplasia and 10% possible previous slipped upper femoral epiphyses. Eighty-five per cent with end-stage coxarthrosis or gonarthrosis had an identical pattern of radiographic disease contralaterally. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest the importance of a constitutional tendency to idiopathic, end-stage OA, a disorder traditionally associated with environmental factors leading to 'wear and tear'.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/rheumatology/39.6.612

Type

Journal article

Journal

Rheumatology (Oxford)

Publication Date

06/2000

Volume

39

Pages

612 - 619

Keywords

Age of Onset, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Analgesics, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee, Body Mass Index, Disease Progression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Occupations, Osteoarthritis, Hip, Osteoarthritis, Knee, Pain, Radiography, Sex Factors, Total Quality Management