Abstract
Introduction
The success of total hip replacement (THR) is closely linked to the positioning of the acetabular component. Malalignment increases rates of dislocation, impingement, acetabular migration, pelvic osteolysis, leg length discrepancy and polyethylene wear. Many surgeons orientate the cup to inherent anatomy of the acetabulum. Detailed understanding of the anatomy and orientation of the acetabulum in arthritic hips is therefore very important. The aim of this study was to describe the anteversion and inclination of the inherent acetabulum in arthritic hips and to identify the number that fall out with the ‘safe zone’ of acetabular position described by Lewinnek et al. (anteversion 15°±10°; inclination 40°±10°).
Materials and Methods
A series of 65 hips all with symptomatic osteoarthritis undergoing THR were investigated. Patients with dysplastic hips were excluded. All patients had a navigated THR as part of their normal clinical treatment. A commercially available non image based computer navigation system (Orthopilot BBraun Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany) was used. Anterior pelvic plane was registered using the two anterior superior iliac spines and pubic symphysis. Inner size of the empty acetabulum was sized with cup trials and appropriately size trial fixed with a computer tracker was then aligned in the orientation of the natural acetabulum as defined by the acetabular rim ignoring any osteophytes. The inclination and anteversion were calculated by the software.
The acetabular inclination in all hips was also measured on pre-operative anteroposterior pelvic digital radiographs. Acetabular inclination was measured using as the angle between a line passing through the superior and inferior rim of the acetabulum and a line parallel to the pelvis as identified by the tear drops, using the method described by Atkinson et al.
Results
All patients were Caucasian and had primary osteoarthritis. There were 29 males and 36 females. The average age was 68 years (SD 8). The inclination was 50.4(SD 7.4) and 58.8(SD 5.7) on navigation and radiographs respectively. The anteversion was 9.3(SD 10.3) on navigation. Anteversion for males was significantly lower than females with a mean difference of −5.5° (95% CI −10.5°, −0.5°) with a p value of 0.033. There was no significant difference with respect to inclination. Overall 69% of patients had a combined inclination and anteversion of the native acetabulum that fell outside the “safe zone” of Lewinnek.
Conclusions
Inherent acetabular orientation in arthritic hips falls out with the safe zone defined by Lewinnek in 69% of cases. When using the natural acetabular orientation as a guide for positioning implants it should therefore not be assumed this will fall with in the safe zone although the validity of safe zones itself is questionable. Variation between patients must be taken into account. The difference between males and females, particularly in terms of anteversion, should also be considered.
