COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF POLYETHYLENE WEAR IN ACETABULAR SOCKET

Abstract

The new 3-Dimensional (3D) polyethylene wear measurement software GAWDI (Genetic Algorithm for Wear Detect Instrument) was developed to evaluate in vivo movement of the femoral head into the polyethylene liner. It enabled to detect 3D position of femoral head against polyethylene socket from two radiographs. Inter observer error of this system was 0.09 mm, intra observer error was 0.08 mm. Fifteen patients after THA was taken anterior-posterior (AP) and semi-lateral radiographs in both standing and supine position one year post operation. The difference of the 3D position of the femoral head was not observed between standing and supine position. However 8.1 degrees (mean) and 0.2 to 16.5 degrees (range) pelvic tilt was observed between these positions. 0.8 mm (mean) difference was observed by 2-Dimensional measurement system although no difference was observed by 3D system. Small separation between head and socket was observed in a few patients. However the influence of pelvic tilt was main origin of the difference between 2D and 3D measurement methods.