[Early arthrosis of the finger joints. The results of soft-ray pictures in 3 views].

Arthrosis of the digital joints begins predominantly on the volar joint surface and the volar-proximal margin of the head. Because of this localisation, and in order to obtain adequate contrast and definition, these early changes are best shown by means of low R.V. radiographs in three views. The early changes consist of the following local processes: intrachondral sclerosis, exomarginal and endomarginal subchondral sclerosis, discreet increase in the spongiosa; this leads to disrounding and hooklike form of the head; thickening or disappearance of the sub-marginal spongiosa and marginal defects. Artifacts produced by the projections or local bone variants must be recognised, as well as diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.