Abstract
Introduction
Orientation of the acetabular component in total hip arthroplasty has been shown to influence component wear, stability, and impingement. Freehand placement of the component can lead to widely variable radiographic outcomes. Accurate abduction, in particular, can be difficult in the lateral decubitus position due to limited ability to appreciate and control positional obliquity of the pelvis. A CT-based mechanical navigation device has been shown to decrease cup placement error. This is an independent report of a single-surgeon's radiographic results using the device to control cup abduction.
Patients and Methods
Sixty-four (64) consecutive elective THRs in 58 patients were performed via a supercapsular percutaneously-assisted (SuperPATH) surgical approach. Intraoperatively, the acetabular components were aligned with the aid of the CT-based mechanical navigation device (HipXpert; Surgical Planning Associates, Medford, MA). The cup orientation was then further adjusted to ensure that the anterior rim of the acetabular component was not prominent to avoid psoas impingement. Postoperatively, radiographic abduction was measured on standing postoperative radiographs.
Results
Measured on standing postoperative radiographs, the cup radiographic abduction angle averaged 42.7° with a standard deviation of ± 3.9° and a range of 35° to 51°.
Conclusions
Total hip arthroplasty using a CT-based navigation device as a guide for abduction led to cup implantation within a very narrow abduction range. This navigation device deserves more widespread interest and study, as acetabular component malposition remains a major concern in THR.
