Abstract
Introduction
In recent literatures dealing with optimisation of prosthetic alignment in total hip arthroplasty (THA), the concept of combined anteversion (CA), sum of acetabular anteversion (AV) and femoral antetorsion (AT), has been addressed. We have been using an image-free THA navigation system?OrthoPilot THAPro?to achieve improved overall alignment with both stem and cup. In the use of this system, we have used the stem-first procedure so-called CA technique. In this technique, the femur was prepared first with the target angle corresponding to the native femoral AT and the cup AV was decided considering CA calculated with the formula of Widmer (37.3°= cup AV + 0.7 stem AT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of CA by using CA technique with image-free navigated THA.
Methods
Fifty hips underwent primary THA using OrthoPilot THApro with CA technique. In CA technique, the femur was prepared first and the target angle of AT value was basically determined by for the individual native femoral AT angle. After the femur was prepared, the cup AV was decided based on the formula of Widmer. All included patients underwent postoperative CT examination, and the prosthetic alignment was assessed using the 3D-Template system (Zed Hip, LEXI).
Results
In the assessment of accuracy of the navigation systems in 50 consecutive THA's, comparison of intraoperative navigation value and postoperative CT evaluation indicated that the absolute discrepancy of cup AV, and stem AT was 4.5° ± 3.5°and 5.9° ± 4.3° respectively. In the assessment of the cup AV with postoperative CT evaluation, the measured values averaged 20.7° ± 6.2° while AT values averaged 20.9° ± 10.6°. Distribution of AT values showed large SD. By contrast, the average Widmer's CA values (cup AV + 0.7 stem AT) were 35.2° ± 5.7°. In the assessment of overall alignment, the Widmer's CA values were within 37° ± 5° in 40 hips and 37° ± 10° in 46 hips.
Conclusion
The present study proposed that the confirming stem AT prior to cup placement could be important to achieve appropriate CA value. CA technique with image-free navigated THA could achieve accurate and consistent control of CA value.
