Transient Osteoporosis of Hip

Demographic and clinical details: 33-years-old male, admitted with left hip pain starting 3 weeks ago.

Image Details: AP X-Ray shows the diffuse decrease in density of left proximal femur, suggesting the osteopenia of left proximal femur. MR images shows the edema like signal changes in neck and head of left femur. Mild amount of effusion is present in left joint.  Radiological (bone marrow edema and osteopenia of proximal femur) and clinical (young adult male with unilateral hip pain) suggest the diagnosis of transient osteoporosis of hip.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip is a rare condition that causes temporary bone loss in the proximal femur. It is a self-limiting condition of unknown etiology. It tends to affect middle-aged men.

X-rays are normal initially but usually abnormal by 4-8 weeks following the onset of symptoms.

X-rays may show a loss of bone density as in our case.

Diagnosis (Transient osteoporosis) is confirmed when the symptoms and radiological abnormalities have resolved.