Objective To study the imaging features of the hip joint by measuring the imaging parameters of spine, pelvis, and hip joint before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) undergoing THA so as to provide reference for selection of operation methods and prosthesis. Methods Between January and July 2015, 38 patients (56 hips) with AS underwent primary THA as AS group, and 36 patients (45 hips) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head underwent THA as control group. There was no significant difference in side (χ2=1.14,P=0.95). The acetabular abduction angle (ABA), acetabular anteversion angle (AVA), center collum diaphyseal (CCD), offset, height from rotation center to lesser trochanter (HRCLT), femoral intertrochanteric distance (FID) were measured by CT three-dimensional morphology. The canal flare index (CFI), cortical thickness index (CTI), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic tilt (PT) were measured by X-ray film before operation. The AVA, ABA, and the filling ratio were measured on the postoperative X-ray film. Results There was no significant difference in preoperative AVA and ABA and postoperative ABA between 2 groups (P>0.05), but significant difference was found in postoperative AVA (t=6.71,P=0.00). The mean PI, SS, and PT in AS group were 48.37° (range, 41-58°), 5.64°(range, 2-11°), and 12.85° (range, 5-26°), respectively. There was significant difference in CCD, CFI, and CTI between 2 groups (t=3.63,P=0.04;t=5.12,P=0.02;t=3.91,P=0.04), but offset, HRCLT, and FID all showed no significant difference (t=0.41,P=0.36;t=0.33,P=0.56;t=0.59,P=0.12). On the basis of the Noble classification, medullary cavity of the femur was rated as chimney type, ordinary type, and champagne flute type in 32, 18, and 6 hips of AS group, and in 4, 28, and 13 hips of control group respectively. Filling ratio of distal segment in AS group was significantly lower than that in control group (t=5.64,P=0.02), but there was no significant difference in the filling ratio of middle and proximal segments between 2 groups (t=0.29,P=0.61;t=0.55,P=0.13). Conclusion Compared with patients having osteonecrosis of the femeral head, there is no significant difference in preoperative AVA and ABA, but postoperative AVA significantly increase in patients with AS. Because AS patients have mainly chimney type medullary cavity of the femur, the filling ratio of middle and distal segment is lower when tapered stems are used, and the filling ratio of anatomic stems is higher.