Abstract
Purpose
The effects of Acetabular Rim Osteophytes (ARO) in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), has not been quantified. During THA their presence and location is variable, and the effect on post-operative Range of Motion (ROM) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ROM of a modern hip implant in five cadaver models utilizing computerized virtual surgery, and to analyze the effect of AROs given their location on the acetabulum, and position of the prosthesis during motion.
Method
CT scans of five cadaveric pelvises and femurs were used to create 3-D Models. Surgery, using virtual Stryker components was then performed to restore the natural anatomic offset and leg length. ROM to impingement was evaluated for each model in eight vectors: flexion/extension, internal/external rotation, abduction/adduction, and 90 degrees of flexion with internal/external rotation.
An Osteophyte Impingement Model was then created by elevating the natural acetabular rim by 10 millimeters circumferentially in each virtual cadaver pelvis. Using the same THA components, ROM was then evaluated in this pelvic model and compared to the cadaveric models.
Results
ROM in the Osteophyte Impingement Model yielded a statistically significant decrease in five of the eight vectors tested, when compared to the Cadaveric Model: Flexion, Extension, External Rotation, Flexion to 90 degrees with Internal Rotation, and Flexion to 90 degrees with External Rotation. Only 3 of these 5 vectors were within normal human physiological ROM: Flexion, External Rotation, and Flexion to 90 degrees with Internal Rotation. The osteophyte model yielded a decrease in absolute ROM in the following: Flexion to 101 vs 113 degrees (p= 0.03), External Rotation to 30.4 vs 49.5 degrees (p= 0.01), and Flexion to 90 degrees with Internal Rotation 16.7 vs 31.6 degrees (p=0.01).
When mapped on the acetabulum of right-sided hip, with the 12 o'clock position as the superior pole of the acetabulum, impingement on the osteophyte was noted at the following locations: with Flexion, and Flexion to 90 degrees with Internal Rotation, impinged was noted between 1 and 2 o'clock on the acetabulum. In External Rotation impinged occurred between 7 and 8 o'clock on the acetabulum.
Conclusion
This study showed that a 10 millimeter osteophyte can potentially decrease range of motion and lead to impingement in THA in certain planes of motions: Flexion, External Rotation and Flexion to 90 degrees with Internal Rotation. The location of this impingement is between the 1 and 2 o'clock in Flexion, and Flexion to 90 degrees with Internal Rotation. In External Rotation, the impingement will occur between the 7 and 8 o'clock. The above applies to a right-sided acetabulum, the left side will demonstrate the mirror image of this impingement: Between the 10 to 11 o'clock, and 4 to 5 o'clock positions respectively. Osteophytes 10 millimeters or more in height at these positions should be carefully evaluated intra-operatively and removed safely if possible.
