Immediate effects of manual traction on radiographically determined joint space width in the hip joint.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of manual traction of the hip joint on joint space width (JSW) on asymptomatic subjects.

Methods: Asymptomatic, healthy male volunteers (n = 15), aged 25 to 34 years were included in this study. Three radiographs were obtained with the subjects in the supine position, before and after loading with 10% of his body weight, and after manual traction on only the right hip joint. Joint space width was measured by a radiologist at the point described by Jacobson and Sonne-Holm.

Results: There were significant changes in JSW on the right hip joint and left hip joint between the baseline (before loading) and immediately after loading. We also observed a significantly increased JSW on only the right hip joint between periods that followed loading and manual traction on the right hip joint. There was no significant change in JSW on the left hip joint between periods that followed loading and manual traction on the right hip joint.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a significant increase in JSW in young, healthy male patients can occur immediately after manual traction of the hip joint.