Lumbar spine fusion in patients undergoing THA (total hip arthroplasty) is a known risk factor for hip dislocation with some studies showing a 400% increased incidence compared to the overall THA population. Reduced spine flexibility can effectively narrow the cup anteversion safe zone while alterations in pelvic tilt can alter the center of the anteversion safe zone. The use of precision cup alignment technology combined with patient-specific cup alignment goals based on preoperative assessment has been suggested as a method of addressing this problem. The current study assess the dislocation rate of THA patients with stiff or fused lumbar spines treated using surgical navigation with patient-specific cup orientation goals. Seventy-five THA were performed in 54 patients with a diagnosis of lumbar fusion, lumbar disc replacement, and scoliosis with Cobb angles greater than 40 degrees were treated by the senior author (SM) as part of a prospective, non-randomized study of surgical navigation in total hip arthroplasty. All patients were treated using a smart mechanical navigation tool for cup alignment (HipXpert System, Surgical Planning Associates, Inc., Boston, MA). Cup orientation goals were set on a patient-specific basis using supine pelvic tilt as measured using CT. Patients with increased pelvic tilt had a goal for increased cup anteversion and patients with decreased pelvic tilt had a goal for decreased cup anteversion (relative to the anterior pelvic plane coordinate system). Each patient's more recent outpatient records were assessed for history of dislocation, instability, mechanical symptoms, decreased range of motion or progressive pain. Additionally, last clinic radiographs were reviewed to confirm lumbar pathology in the form of spinal surgical hardware.Introduction
Methods
The effect of spine-pelvis position and motion on hip arthroplasty function has been increasingly appreciated in the past several years. Some authors have stressed the importance of using precision technologies for component placement while others have advocated the use of dual mobility articulations or large bearings and lateralized liners in patients with fused lumbar spines. The current study assesses the prevalence of stiff and fused spines in an elective total hip arthroplasty population. One hundred and forty-nine patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty were assessed preoperatively with CT (computed tomography) and functional radiographs for the purpose of CT based planning and intraoperative navigation of total hip arthroplasty (HipXpert System, Surgical Planning Associates, Inc., Boston, MA). The functional radiographs included standing and sitting lateral images (EOS Imaging, SA, Paris, France). Patients were assessed for supine, standing and sitting pelvic tilt (PT) and change in sacral slope (SS). Spine stiffness was defined by a change in sacral slope (SS) of less than or equal to 10 degrees on the standing to sitting lateral radiographs according to Luthringer et al JOA 2019.Introduction
Methods
