Primary early osteoarthritis of hips with peripelvic bone struts.

An asthenic 30-year-old dentist presented at the orthopaedic clinic complaining of pain in both hip joints. There was no history of systemic disease, and all of the results of serologic and hematologic investigations were within normal limits. Clinical examination revealed a limitation of hip movement, and roentgenograms showed early osteoarthritis of both joints. In addition, there were bony protuberances between the pelvis and the proximal femur. Whether these bony struts caused the development of the osteoarthritis or whether they developed as a result of the osteoarthritis will be discussed.