BONE MASS IN PRIMARY COXARTHROSIS

The bone mineral content was measured by .gamma. absorptiometry at 2 levels on the forearms, proximally on the shafts and distally close to the wrist, in 53 [human] cases of primary coxarthrosis. The bone mineral content at the distal measuring site, representing trabecular bone, was increased in coxarthrosis cases as compared with normal controls; the difference was significant only in women. At the proximal measuring site, representing cortical bone, there was no significant difference. The findings support the concept of impairment of the resilience of the juxta-articular trabecular bone as 1 factor contributing to the pathogenesis of arthrosis.