Osseous spurs at the fovea capitis femoris-a frequent finding in asymptomatic volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the different morphologic types of the fovea capitis femoris and the spectrum of osseous spurs/osteophytes of the fovea in asymptomatic volunteers and patients with hip osteoarthritis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-five patients (mean age 63.6 years) with radiographically confirmed osteoarthritis of the hip and 59 asymptomatic healthy volunteers (mean age 33.9 years) underwent non-contrast MRI of the hip joint. Two radiologists independently evaluated all images. Fovea morphology (standard type, diamond type, flat type, triangular type) as well as the frequency, size and location of spurs/osteophytes of the fovea were assessed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied.

RESULTS: The most frequent morphologic type of the fovea capitis femoris was the standard type for both asymptomatic volunteers (average 45%) and patients (average 49%). Osseous spurs were detected in 70% of the asymptomatic volunteers, and 97% of the patients had osteophytes. Spur size at all locations was significantly smaller in asymptomatic volunteers (range 1-2 mm) than osteophyte size in patients (range 1-4 mm) (p ≤ 0.035). In volunteers and patients, the spurs/osteophytes were most frequently located at the anterior border of the fovea capitis femoris.

CONCLUSION: Smaller osseous spurs (<2 mm) at the border of the fovea capitis femoris are very common in asymptomatic volunteers and do not seem to be pathologic.