Acetabular component positioning is commonly referenced with the pelvis in the supine position in direct anterior approach THA. Changes in pelvic tilt (PT) from the pre-operative supine to the post-operative standing positions have not been well investigated and may have relevance to optimal acetabular component targeting for reduced risk of impingement and instability. The aims of this study were therefore to determine the change in PT that occurs from pre-operative supine to post-operative standing, and whether any factors are associated with significant changes in tilt ≥13° in posterior direction.

13° in a posterior direction was chosen as that amount of posterior rotation creates an increase in functional anteversion of the acetabular component of 10°.

1097 THA patients with pre-operative supine CT and standing lateral radiographic imaging and 1 year post-operative standing lateral radiographs (interquartile range 12–13 months) were reviewed. Pre-operative supine PT was measured from CT as the angle between the anterior pelvic plane (APP) and the horizontal plane of the CT device. Standing PT was measured on standing lateral x-rays as the angle between the APP and the vertical line. Patients with ≥13° change from supine pre-op to standing post-op (corresponding to a 10° change in cup anteversion) were grouped and compared to those with a <13° change using unpaired student's t-tests.

Mean pre-operative supine PT (3.8±6.0°) was significantly different from mean post-operative standing PT (−3.5±7.1°, p<0.001), ie mean change of −7.3±4.6°.

10.4% (114/1097) of patients had posterior PT changes ≥13° supine pre-op to standing post-op.

A significant number of patients, ie 1 in 10, undergo a clinically significant change in PT and functional anteversion from supine pre-op to standing post-op. Surgeons should be aware of these changes when planning component placement in THA.

Adverse spinopelvic mobility (SPM) has been shown to increase risk of dislocation of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). In patients undergoing THA, prevalence of adverse SPM has been shown to be as high as 41%. Stiff lumbar spine, large posterior standing pelvic tilt and severe sagittal spinal deformity have been identified as risk factors for increased hip instability. Dislocation rates for dual mobility articulations have been reported to be 0% to 1.1%. The aim of this study was to determine the early survivorship from the Australian National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) of patients with adverse SPM who received a dual mobility articulation.

A multicentre study was performed using data from 229 patients undergoing primary THA, enrolled consecutively. All the patients who had one or more adverse spine or pelvic mobility parameters had a dual mobility articulation inserted at the time of their surgery. Average age was 76 (22 to 93) years and 63% were female. At a mean of 2.1 (1 – 3.3) years post-op, the AOANJRR was analysed for follow-up. Reasons for revision and types of revision were identified.

The AOANJRR reported two revisions. One due to infection and the second due to femoral component loosening. No revisions for dislocation were reported. One patient died with the prosthesis in situ. Kaplan Meier survival was 99.3% (CI 98.3% − 100%) at 2 years.

DM bearings reduce the risk of dislocation of primary THA in patients with adverse spine and pelvic mobility.

Introduction

The prevalence of the various patterns of spinopelvic abnormalities that increase the risk for prosthetic impingement is unknown. While prior surgery or lumbar fusion are recognized as a risk factors for postoperative dislocation, many patients presenting for THA do not have obvious radiographic abnormalities. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of large posterior pelvic tilt (PPT) when standing, stiff lumbar-spine (SLL) and spino-pelvic sagittal imbalance (SSI) in patients undergoing primary THA.

A total hip replacement (THR) patient's spinopelvic mobility might predispose them to an increased risk of impingement, instability and edge-loading. This risk can be minimised by considering their preoperative movement during planning of component alignment. However, the question of whether the preoperative, arthritic motion is representative of the postoperative mobility has been raised. We aimed to determine the change in functional pelvic tilt in a series of THR patients at one-year.

Four-hundred and eleven patients had their pelvic tilt and lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) measured in the standing and flexed-seated (position when patients initiate rising from a seat) positions as part of routine planning for THR. All measurements were performed on lateral radiographs. At 12-months postoperatively, the same two lateral images were taken and pelvic tilt measured. Pearson correlation was used to investigate the linear relationship between pre-and post-op pelvic tilt. Furthermore, a predictive model of post-op pelvic tilt was developed using machine learning algorithms. The model incorporating four preoperative inputs – standing pelvic tilt, seated pelvic tilt, standing LLA and seated LLA.

In the standing position, there was a mean 2° posterior rotation after THR, with a maximum posterior change of 13°. The Pearson correlation coefficient between pre-and post-op standing pelvic tilt was 0.84. This prediction of post-op standing tilt improved to 0.91 when the three further inputs were incorporated to the predictive model.

In the flexed-seated position, there was a mean 7° anterior rotation after THR, with a maximum anterior change of 45°. The Pearson correlation coefficient between pre-and post-op seated pelvic tilt was 0.54. This prediction of post-op seated tilt improved to 0.71 when the three further inputs were incorporated to the predictive model.

The best predictor of post-operative spinopelvic mobility, is the patients pre-operative spinopelvic mobility, and this should routinely be measured when planning THR

The predictive model will continue to improve in accuracy as more data and more variables (contralateral hip pathology, pelvic incidence, age and gender) are incorporated into the model.

The pelvis moves in the sagittal plane during functional activity. This can be detrimental to functional cup orientation. Increased pelvic mobility could be a risk factor for instability and edge-loading, in both flexion and/or extension. The aim of this study was to investigate how gender, age and lumbar spine stiffness, affects the number of patients at risk of excessive sagittal pelvic mobility.

Pre-operatively, 3428 patients had their pelvic tilt and lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) measured in three positions; supine, standing and flexed-seated. The pelvic rotation from supine-to-standing and from supine-to-seated was determined from the difference in pelvic tilt measurements between positions. Lumbar flexion was determined as the difference between LLA standing and LLA when flexed-seated. Patients were stratified into groups based upon age, gender, and lumbar flexion. The percentage of patients in each group with “at risk” pelvic rotation, defined by rotation ≥13° in a detrimental direction, was determined.

There was an increased incidence of “at risk” pelvic mobility with increasing age, and decreasing lumbar flexion. This was more pronounced in females. Notably, 31% of elderly females had “at risk” pelvic mobility. Furthermore, 38% of patients with lumbar flexion <20° had “at risk” pelvic mobility.

“At risk” pelvic mobility was more common in older patients and in patients with limited lumbar flexion. Additional stability, such as a dual mobility articulation, might be advisable in patient cohort. However, the majority of patients exhibiting “at risk” pelvic mobility were not older than 75, and did not have lumbar flexion <20°. This supports analysis of pelvic mobility on all patients undergoing THR.