We have previously described a simple and reproducible three-dimensional technique of CT for the measurement of the cover of the femoral head in acetabular dysplasia in adults. We now describe the application of this technique in ten patients with symptomatic dysplasia to assess the degree and direction of dysplasia and to measure the cover obtained at acetabular osteotomy.

The indices obtained gave a useful indication of the degree and direction of the dysplasia and confirmed which components had been used most efficiently to achieve cover. The information is easily presented in graphical form and gives a clearer indication of the cover obtained than the indices derived from plain radiographs.