The pelvis moves in the sagittal plane during functional activity. These movements can have a detrimental effect on functional cup orientation. The authors previously reported that 17% of total hip replacement (THR) patients have excessive pelvic rotation preoperatively. This increased pelvic rotation 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 rotation. Pre-operatively, 3428 patients had their pelvic tilt (PT) and lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) measured in three positions; supine, standing and flexed-seated, as part of routine planning for THR. 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 excessive pelvic rotation, defined by rotation ≥13° in a detrimental direction, was determined.Introduction
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