Spinopelvic mobility and acetabular component position for total hip arthroplasty

Female Sex and Longer Fusion Constructs Significantly Increase the Risk of Total Hip Arthroplasty Following Spinal Fusion

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have noted the progression of arthritis due to increased forces in articular structures adjacent to a fused joint. It is unknown whether spinal fusion generates increased forces at the hip joint causing progression to arthritis leading to total hip arthroplasty (THA). We sought to determine (1) is there a relationship between spinal fusion and THA, (2) what are risk factors for subsequent THA, and (3) is there a time interval from spinal fusion to THA?

METHODS

A large patient discharge dataset was utilized to evaluate all patients who underwent spinal fusion and subsequent THA in California from 2004 through 2013. Patients were categorized by age, sex, hospital type, hospital volume, and number of spinal levels fused. Multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between spinal fusion and THA. Hazard ratios were calculated for risk factors for THA after spinal fusion. Patients were excluded for previous spinal fusion or hip arthroplasty, inflammatory arthropathy, cancer, and an age of ≤40 years, a surrogate for adolescent and neuromuscular scoliosis.

RESULTS

A total of 101,206 patients underwent spinal fusion; 2,803 (2.77%) subsequently underwent THA. In a bivariate analysis comparing 1 to 2 levels versus >2 levels fused, males had a 17% increased relative risk of undergoing subsequent THA (relative risk [RR] = 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16 to 1.17) and female patients had a 35% increased relative risk (RR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.34 to 1.35) when the fusion involved >2 levels. For females, the relative risk increased by 119% when >7 levels were fused compared with 1 to 7 levels (RR = 2.19; 95% CI = 2.16 to 2.21). Using multivariate random-effects analysis, significant risk factors for THA after spinal fusion included female sex (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.31; p < 0.0001) and spinal fusion of >7 levels (HR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.24; p = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with longer spinal fusion constructs, especially female patients, had a significantly increased risk of undergoing subsequent THA. Patients should be educated regarding the potential for the progression to hip arthritis after spinal fusion and the possibility of future THA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Effect of Spine-Pelvis Relationship in Total Hip Arthroplasty

When spine-pelvic motion is normally coordinated, the pelvis may tilt posteriorly and acetabular anteversion may increase as the patient's position changes from standing to sitting; this scenario allows for improved clearance of the femoral head and neck during hip flexion. However, changes in the mobility of the spine and pelvis may result in impingement after total hip arthroplasty (THA), with the most obvious complication being dislocation. Understanding the spinal-pelvic relationship in the sagittal plane is essential for planning THA in patients with spinal fusion or a known spine disease. Careful attention should be payed to the cup position when performing THA on patients with an increased risk of dynamic impingement.

2018 Frank Stinchfield Award: Spinopelvic Hypermobility Is Associated With an Inferior Outcome After THA: Examining the Effect of Spinal Arthrodesis

BACKGROUND

Many patients undergo both THA and spinal arthrodesis, and those patients may not fare as well as those who undergo one procedure but not the other. The mechanisms of how spinal arthrodesis affects patient function after THA remain unclear.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The aims of our study were to (1) determine how patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Oxford hip score as well as dislocations and complications compare after THA between patients with and without spinal arthrodesis; (2) characterize sagittal pelvic changes in these patients that occur when moving between different functional positions and test for differences between patients with and without spinal arthrodesis; and (3) assess whether differences in sagittal pelvic dynamics are associated with PROMs, complications, and dislocations after THA.

METHODS

In this case-control study, we identified 42 patients (60 hips) who had undergone both THA and spinal arthrodesis between 2002 and 2016 and who were available for followup at a minimum of 12 months (mean, 6 ± 5 years) after the later of the two procedures. These cases were case-control-matched for age, gender, and body mass index with 42 patients (60 hips) who underwent only THA and had no known spinal pathology. All patients completed PROMs, including the Oxford hip score, and underwent four radiographs of the pelvis and spinopelvic complex in three positions (supine, standing, and deep-seated). Cup orientation and various spinopelvic parameters, including pelvic tilt and pelvic-femoral angle, were measured. The difference in pelvic tilt between standing and seated allowed for patient classification based on spinopelvic mobility into normal (± 10°-30°), stiff (< ± 10°) or hypermobile (> ± 30°) groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the THA-only group, the THA-spinal arthrodesis group had inferior PROMs (Oxford hip score, 33 ± 10 versus 43 ± 6; p < 0.001) and more surgery-related complications (such as dislocation, loosening, periprosthetic fracture or infection, psoas irritation) (12 versus 3; p = 0.013), especially dislocation (5 versus 0; p = 0.023). We detected no difference in change of pelvic tilt between supine and standing positions between the groups. When standing, patients undergoing THA-spinal arthrodesis had greater pelvic tilt (25° ± 11° versus 17° ± 8°; p < 0.001) and the hip was more extended (193° ± 22° versus 185° ± 30°; p = 0.012). We found that patients undergoing THA-spinal arthrodesis were more likely to have spinopelvic hypermobility (12 of 42 versus three of 42; odds ratio, 5.2; p = 0.02) with anterior tilting of the pelvis. Of all biomechanical parameters, only spinopelvic hypermobility was associated with inferior PROMs (Oxford hip score, 35 ± 9 versus 40 ± 7 in normal mobility; p = 0.049) and was also present in dislocating hips that underwent revision despite acceptable cup orientation.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with spinal arthrodesis who have undergone THA, spinopelvic hypermobility is associated with inferior outcomes, including hip instability. Spinopelvic hypermobility should be routinely assessed because these patients may have a narrow zone of optimum cup orientation that would require new technology to define and assist the surgeon in obtaining it.Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study.

Spinal Fusion Is Associated With Changes in Acetabular Orientation and Reductions in Pelvic Mobility

BACKGROUND

The importance of spinopelvic motion and its influence on THA stability are well recognized but poorly defined. With dynamic motion, compensatory changes in spine and pelvic positions are required to keep the necessary balance between the axial skeleton and lower extremity to maintain an erect posture. Although prior studies have shown spinal fusions to be an independent risk factor for hip dislocations after primary THA, the direct impact of fusion levels on spinopelvic motion remains unknown.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if acetabular orientation changes with flexion and extension of the lumbar spine; (2) to determine if the amount of change is different in patients who have undergone spinal fusion at the L5-S1 level; and (3) to identify if the amount of change in acetabular motion is increased in patients who have undergone fusion at additional or other spinal levels.

METHODS

We reviewed 100 flexion-extension spine films of patients older than 18 years of age with a history of back pain who had not undergone spinal or hip surgery and compared them with 50 flexion-extension spine films of patients who had undergone lumbar fusion at various levels. These radiographs were acquired between 2012 and 2017 and stored in our institutional radiology database. Only patients with flexion and extension films able to visualize the greater trochanter of the femur were included. For each film, measurements of acetabular version, acetabular version relative to the femoral shaft, lumbar lordosis angle, and sacral slope were digitally performed by two independent observers. Intra- and interrater variability was assessed using Lin's concordance correlation (Rho_c) ranging from 0.59 to 0.91. The change in acetabular version for each patient when going from spinal flexion to extension was compared between patients with no prior spinal or hip surgery and those with prior spinal fusions using a two-tailed t-test.

RESULTS

Acetabular version changed -21° as the lumbar spine changed position from flexion to extension in patients without spine surgery (95% confidence interval [CI], -24° to -18°). Acetabular version changed 15° as the lumbar spine changed position from flexion to extension in patients who had undergone prior lumbar spine fusion at all levels (95% CI, -18° to -12°). There was a difference in the change in acetabular version between these two groups of -6° (95% CI, -11° to -1°; p = 0.01). In patients with prior L5-S1 fusion, the change in acetabular version was decreased when compared with patients without prior spine surgery. The change was -10° (95% CI, -15° to -6°), which is less than the change of acetabular version of -21° that we saw in patients without prior spinal fusion (p < 0.01). The difference between these groups was -10° (95% CI, -18° to -3°). Fusion levels above L5 that did not cross the L5-S1 joint did not have a difference in change in acetabular version when compared with patients without surgery with a mean difference of -4° (95% CI, -9° to 2°).

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal fusion, specifically at the L5-S1 level, reduces pelvic mobility as the spine moves from flexion to extension. This reduction in motion can reduce the distance to impingement and place patients undergoing THA at risk for dislocation. Further research utilizing three-dimensional imaging modalities and motion analysis can further help define the best hip implant position in these patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic study.

Lumbar fusion involving the sacrum increases dislocation risk in primary total hip arthroplasty

AIMS

Concurrent hip and spine pathologies can alter the biomechanics of spinopelvic mobility in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study examines how differences in pelvic orientation of patients with spine fusions can increase the risk of dislocation risk after THA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified 84 patients (97 THAs) between 1998 and 2015 who had undergone spinal fusion prior to primary THA. Patients were stratified into three groups depending on the length of lumbar fusion and whether or not the sacrum was involved. Mean age was 71 years (40 to 87) and 54 patients (56%) were female. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 30 kg/m² (19 to 45). Mean follow-up was six years (2 to 17). Patients were 1:2 matched to patients with primary THAs without spine fusion. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated.

RESULTS

Dislocation in the fusion group was 5.2% at one year versus 1.7% in controls but this did not reach statistical significance (HR 1.9; p = 0.33). Compared with controls, there was no significant difference in rate of dislocation in patients without a sacral fusion. When the sacrum was involved, the rate of dislocation was significantly higher than in controls (HR 4.5; p = 0.03), with a trend to more dislocations in longer lumbosacral fusions. Patient demographics and surgical characteristics of THA (i.e. surgical approach and femoral head diameter) did not significantly impact risk of dislocation (p > 0.05). Significant radiological differences were measured in mean anterior pelvic tilt between the one-level lumbar fusion group (22°), the multiple-level fusion group (27°), and the sacral fusion group (32°; p < 0.01). Ten-year survival was 93% in the fusion group and 95% in controls (HR 1.2; p = 0.8).

CONCLUSION

Lumbosacral spinal fusions prior to THA increase the risk of dislocation within the first six months. Fusions involving the sacrum with multiple levels of lumbar involvement notably increased the risk of postoperative dislocation compared with a control group and other lumbar fusions. Surgeons should take care with component positioning and may consider higher stability implants in this high-risk cohort.

Functional Safe Zone Is Superior to the Lewinnek Safe Zone for Total Hip Arthroplasty: Why the Lewinnek Safe Zone Is Not Always Predictive of Stability

BACKGROUND

The Lewinnek "safe zone" is not always predictive of stability after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent studies have focused on functional hip motion as observed on lateral spine-pelvis-hip x-rays. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the Lewinnek safe zone and the functional safe zone based on hip and pelvic motion in the sagittal plane.

METHODS

Three hundred twenty hips (291 patients) underwent primary THA using computer navigation. Two hundred ninety-six of these hips (92.5%) were within the Lewinnek safe zone as determined by inclination of 40° ± 10° and anteversion of 15° ± 10°. All patients had preoperative and postoperative standing and sitting lateral spinopelvic x-rays. The combined sagittal index (CSI), a combination of sagittal acetabular and femoral position, was measured for each patient and used to assess the functional safe zone. Data analysis was performed to identify hips in the Lewinnek safe zone inside and outside the sagittal functional safe zone. Predictive factors for hips outside the functional safe zone were identified.

RESULTS

Of the 296 hips within the Lewinnek safe zone, 254 (85.8%) were also in the functional safe zone. Forty-two patients were outside the functional safe zone based on CSI; 19 had an increased standing CSI and 23 had a decreased sitting CSI, all were considered at risk for dislocation. Predictive factors for falling outside the functional safe zone were increased femoral mobility (P < .001, r = 0.632), decreased spinopelvic mobility (P < .001, r = 0.455), and pelvic incidence (P < .001, r = 0.400).

CONCLUSION

In this study, 14.2% of hips within the Lewinnek safe zone were outside the functional safe zone, identifying a potential reason hips dislocate despite having "normal" cup angles. The best predictor for falling outside the functional safe zone, both preoperatively and postoperatively, was femoral mobility, not the sagittal cup position (ie, cup anteinclination).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective review.

Late Dislocation Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: Spinopelvic Imbalance as a Causative Factor

BACKGROUND

Late dislocations after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are challenging for the hip surgeon because the cause is often not evident and recurrence is common. Recently, decreased spinopelvic motion has been implicated as a cause of dislocation. The purpose of this study was to assess the mechanical causes of late dislocation, including the influence of spinopelvic motion.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients were studied to identify the cause of their late dislocation. Cup inclination and anteversion were measured on standard pelvic radiographs. Lateral standing and sitting spine-pelvis-hip radiographs were used to measure pelvic motion, femoral mobility, and sagittal cup position by assessing sacral slope, pelvic-femoral angle, and cup ante-inclination. Spinopelvic motion was defined as the difference between the standing and sitting sacral slopes (Δsacral slope). A new measurement, the combined sagittal index, which measures the sagittal acetabular and femoral positions, was used to assess the functional motion of the hip joint and risk of impingement.

RESULTS

There were 9 anterior dislocations (45%) and 11 posterior dislocations (55%) at a mean of 8.3 years after a primary THA. Eight of the 9 patients with an anterior dislocation had spinopelvic abnormalities such as fixed posterior pelvic tilt when standing, increased standing femoral extension, and an increased standing combined sagittal index. Ten of the 11 patients with a posterior dislocation had abnormal spinopelvic measurements such as decreased spinopelvic motion (average Δsacral slope [and standard error] = 9.0° ± 2.4°), increased femoral flexion, and a decreased sitting combined sagittal index. For every 1° decrease in spinopelvic motion, there was an associated 0.9° increase in femoral motion and, in some patients, this resulted in osseous impingement and dislocation.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a late dislocation have abnormal spinopelvic motion that precipitates the dislocation, especially when combined with cup malposition or soft-tissue abnormalities. Spinopelvic stiffness is associated with increased age and increased femoral motion, which may lead to impingement and dislocation. Lateral spine-pelvis-hip radiographs may predict the risk and direction of dislocation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

What preoperative factors predict postoperative sitting pelvic position one year following total hip arthroplasty?

Aims

The aims of this study were to measure sagittal standing and sitting lumbar-pelvic-femoral alignment in patients before and following total hip arthroplasty (THA), and to consider what preoperative factors may influence a change in postoperative pelvic position.

Patients and Methods

A total of 161 patients were considered for inclusion. Patients had a mean age of the remaining 61 years (sd 11) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28 kg/m2 (sd 6). Of the 161 patients, 82 were male (51%). We excluded 17 patients (11%) with spinal conditions known to affect lumbar mobility as well as the rotational axis of the spine. Standing and sitting spine-to-lower-limb radiographs were taken of the remaining 144 patients before and one year following THA. Spinopelvic alignment measurements, including sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, and pelvic incidence, were measured. These angles were used to calculate lumbar spine flexion and femoroacetabular hip flexion from a standing to sitting position. A radiographic scoring system was used to identify those patients in the series who had lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) and compare spinopelvic parameters between those patients with DDD (n = 38) and those who did not (n = 106).

Results

Following THA, patients sat with more anterior pelvic tilt (mean increased sacral slope 18° preoperatively versus 23° postoperatively; p = 0.001) and more lumbar lordosis (mean 28° preoperatively versus 35° postoperatively; p = 0.001). Preoperative change in sacral slope from standing to sitting (p = 0.03) and the absence of DDD (p = 0.001) correlated to an increased change in postoperative sitting pelvic alignment.

Conclusion

Sitting lumbar-pelvic-femoral alignment following THA may be driven by hip arthritis and/or spinal deformity. Patients with DDD and fixed spinopelvic alignment have a predictable pelvic position one year following THA. Patients with normal spines have less predictable postoperative pelvic position, which is likely to be driven by hip stiffness. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1289–96.

Evaluation of pelvic morphology in female patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip using three-dimensional computed tomography: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to measure pelvic morphology with respect to the pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, and sacral slope using 3-dimensional measurement and to compare the pelvic morphology between the normal population and women with developmental dysplasia of the hip (center-edge angle, <25°). We hypothesized that the relationship between pelvic incidence, anatomical pelvic tilt, and anatomical sacral slope would be different between normal subjects and patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip.

METHODS

We evaluated 61 healthy women without low back or knee pain and 71 patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. We used the 3-dimensional pelvis model adjusted to the anterior pelvic plane and measured the pelvic parameters. To determine correlation, we used Pearson's coefficients. To evaluate variation, we used intraclass correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Pelvic incidence and anatomical pelvic tilt were significantly greater by 4° in the group with developmental dysplasia of the hip than in the normal group (p = 0.026 and < 0.001, respectively). The vertical distance from hip axis to the center of the S1 endplate was significantly greater in the group with developmental dysplasia of the hip than in normal group, that is, by 8 mm (p < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between pelvic incidence and anatomical sacral slope in both groups (R = 0.707 and 0.897, respectively). The intraobserver and interobserver mean absolute differences were about 2 mm and 2°, respectively, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was >0.88.

CONCLUSION

Pelvic incidence and anatomical-pelvic tilt were significantly greater in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. We found a strong correlation between the pelvic incidence and anatomical sacral slope in both groups. Therefore, anatomical-sacral slope may be useful for estimating pelvic incidence because it is not easily measured, especially in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

Risk factors for increased sagittal pelvic motion causing unfavourable orientation of the acetabular component in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Aims

It is important to consider sagittal pelvic rotation when introducing the acetabular component at total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to identify patients who are at risk of unfavourable pelvic mobility, which could result in poor outcomes after THA.

Patients and Methods

A consecutive series of 4042 patients undergoing THA had lateral functional radiographs and a low-dose CT scan to measure supine pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, standing pelvic tilt, flexed-seated pelvic tilt, standing lumbar lordotic angle, flexed-seated lumbar lordotic angle, and lumbar flexion. Changes in pelvic tilt from supine-to-standing positions and supine-to-flexed-seated positions were determined. A change in pelvic tilt of 13° between positions was deemed unfavourable as it alters functional anteversion by 10° and effectively places the acetabular component outside the safe zone of orientation.

Results

For both men and women, the degree of lumbar flexion was a significant predictor of risk in hip flexion (p < 0.0001) with increased odds of unfavourable pelvic mobility in those with lumbar flexion of < 20° (men, odds ratio (OR) 6.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.83 to 11.89; women, OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.87 to 4.71). In women, age and standing pelvic tilt were significant predictors of risk in hip extension (p = 0.0082 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The risk of unfavourable pelvic mobility was higher in those aged > 75 years (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.32) and those with standing pelvic tilt of < -10° for extension risk (OR 7.10, 95% CI 4.10 to 10.29). In men, only standing pelvic tilt was significant (p < 0.0001) for hip extension with an increased risk of unfavourable pelvic mobility (OR 8.68, 95% CI 5.19 to 14.51).

Conclusion

Patients found to have unfavourable pelvic mobility had limited lumbar flexion and more posterior standing pelvic tilt in both men and women, as well as increasing age in women. We recommend that patients undergo preoperative functional radiographic screening to determine specific parameters that can affect the functional orientation of the acetabular component. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:845–52.

The influence of patient factors on femoral rotation after total hip arthroplasty

Background

A postoperative change in femoral rotation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) might be the cause of dislocation due to the change in combined anteversion. However, very few studies have evaluated the femoral rotation angle following THA, or the factors that influence femoral rotation. We aimed to evaluate changes in femoral rotation after THA, and to investigate preoperative patient factors that influence femoral rotation after THA.

Methods

This study involved 211 hips treated with primary THA. We used computed tomography to measure the femoral rotation angle before and one week after THA. In addition, multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate preoperative patient factors that could influence femoral rotation after THA.

Results

The femoral rotation angle was 0.2 ± 14° externally before surgery and 4.4 ± 12° internally after surgery (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that sex (β = 0.19; p = 0.003), age (β = 0.15; p = 0.017), preoperative anatomical femoral anteversion (β = − 0.25; p = 0.002), and preoperative femoral rotation angle (β = 0.36; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the postoperative femoral rotation angle. The final model of the regression formula was described by the following equation: [postoperative femoral rotation angle = 5.41 × sex (female: 0, male: 1) + 0.15 × age - 0.22 × preoperative anatomical femoral anteversion + 0.33 × preoperative femoral rotation angle - 10.1].

Conclusion

The current study showed the mean internal change of 4.6° in the femoral rotation angle one week after THA. Sex, age, preoperative anatomical femoral anteversion and preoperative femoral rotation were associated with postoperative femoral rotation. The patients who were male, older, and who exhibited lesser preoperative anatomical femoral anteversion or greater preoperative femoral rotation angles, tended to demonstrate an externally rotated femur after THA. Conversely, patients who were female, younger, and who exhibited greater preoperative anatomical femoral anteversion or lesser preoperative femoral rotation angles, tended to demonstrate an internal rotation of the femur after THA.

Prevention of Dislocation After Total Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Prevention of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) begins with patient preoperative assessment and planning.

METHODS

We performed a literature search to assess historical perspectives and current strategies to prevent dislocation after primary THA. The search yielded 3458 articles, and 154 articles are presented.

RESULTS

Extremes of age, body mass index >30 kg/m², lumbosacral pathology, surgeon experience, and femoral head size influence dislocation rates after THA. There is mixed evidence regarding the effect of neuromuscular disease, sequelae of pediatric hip conditions, and surgical approach on THA instability. Sex, simultaneous bilateral THA, and restrictive postoperative precautions do not influence the dislocation rates of THA. Navigation, robotics, lipped liners, and dual-mobility acetabular components may improve dislocation rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Risks for dislocation should be identified, and measures should be taken to mitigate the risk. Reliance on safe zones of acetabular component positioning is historical. We are in an era of bespoke THA surgery.

Validity of the intra-operative measurement of stem anteversion and factors for the erroneous estimation in cementless total hip arthroplasty using postero-lateral approach

BACKGROUND

Intra-operative estimation of stem anteversion in total hip arthroplasty (THA) using postero-lateral approach is made by the surgeon's visual assessment, using the tibia as a guide, with the assumption that tibial axis is vertical to the trans-epicondylar axis. However, the accuracy of the intra-operative estimation has rarely been verified with postoperative CT-scans, with controversies regarding these measurements particularly in case of knee osteoarthritis. Therefore we performed a prospective study to: (1) determine the accuracy of the intra-operative measurement and (2) investigate factors affecting the discrepancy between the surgeon's estimation and the real stem anteversion.

HYPOTHESIS

Intra-operative estimation of stem anteversion correlated with the real stem anteversion on CT-scan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven THAs using cementless straight stems (65 patients) without ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty were prospectively evaluated to compare the intra-operative measurement of stem anteversion with the real stem anteversion on computed tomography (CT) scans. There were 33 men and 34 women with a mean age of 59.7years (range, 27-84years) at the time of surgery. Age, tibia plateau angle, native femoral anteversion, femoro-tibial angle, body mass index, operative site, gender, coronal and sagittal tilt of the stem, stem type, ipsilateral knee osteoarthritis, and preoperative diagnosis were analyzed to evaluate the factors affecting the discrepancy between the intra-operative and CT measurements.

RESULTS

The intra-operative estimation (mean, 21.5°±8.5°; range, 5.0°-39.0°) was greater than the CT measurement (mean, 19.5°±8.7°; range, 4.5°-38.5°) by 2.0°. The mean absolute value of discrepancy was 4.5°. The correlation coefficient between intra-operative and CT measurements was 0.837. The femoro-tibial angle was associated with the discrepancy between the two measurements. In the presence of genu varum deformity, the intra-operative measurement underestimated the stem anteversion.

DISCUSSION

Although intra-operative estimation of stem anteversion was slightly greater than the real stem anteversion, there was an excellent correlation between the two. The femoro-tibial angle should be considered to optimize the stem anteversion during cementless THA using postero-lateral approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prospective case control study.

Kinematic alignment technique for total hip and knee arthroplasty: The personalized implant positioning surgery

Conventional techniques for hip and knee arthroplasty have led to good long-term clinical outcomes, but complications remain despite better surgical precision and improvements in implant design and quality.

Technological improvements and a better understanding of joint kinematics have facilitated the progression to ‘personalized’ implant positioning (kinematic alignment) for total hip (THA) and knee (TKA) arthroplasty, the true value of which remains to be determined.

By achieving a true knee resurfacing, the kinematic alignment (KA) technique for TKA aims at aligning the components with the physiological kinematic axes of the knee and restoring the constitutional tibio-femoral joint line frontal and axial orientation and soft-tissue laxity.

The KA technique for THA aims at restoring the native ‘combined femoro-acetabular anteversion’ and the hip’s centre of rotation, and occasionally adjusting the cup position and design based on the assessment of the individual spine-hip relation.

The key element for optimal prosthetic joint kinematics (hip or knee) is to reproduce the femoral anatomy.

The transverse acetabular ligament (TAL) is the reference landmark to adjust the cup position.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:98-105. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170022

Spine-hip relations in patients with hip osteoarthritis

Patients with hip osteoarthritis often have an abnormal spine-hip relation (SHR), meaning the presence of a clinically deleterious spine-hip and/or hip-spine syndrome.

Definition of the individual SHR is ideally done using the EOS® imaging system or, if not available, with conventional lumbopelvic lateral radiographs.

By pre-operatively screening patients with abnormal SHR, it is possible to refine total hip replacement (THR) surgical planning, which may improve outcomes.

An important component of the concept of kinematically aligned total hip arthroplasty (KA THA) consists of defining the optimal acetabular cup design and orientation based on the assessment of an individual’s SHR, and use of the transverse acetabular ligament to adjust the cup positioning.

The Bordeaux classification might advance the understanding of SHR and hopefully help improve THR outcomes.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:39-44. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170020

The Current Knowledge on Spinopelvic Mobility

Recent studies may suggest that our conventional knowledge of risk factors for dislocation may need rethinking. Previous studies have demonstrated a large majority of total hip arthroplasty instability with acetabular cups implanted in safe zones. Recently discovered spinopelvic motion is a coordinated biomechanical relationship among acetabular anteversion, pelvic tilt, and lumbar lordosis. Classification includes normal, hypermobile, stiff, stuck standing, stuck sitting, and fused. Normal spinopelvic motion from standing to sitting occurs with hip flexion, posterior sacral tilt, and decreased lumbar lordosis to accommodate a flexed femur and prevent impingement and dislocation. Acetabular cup implantation ideally is adapted based on spinopelvic interactions. This may lower the rate of impingement and subsequent dislocation. These new biomechanical interactions may provide a better understanding of the safe zones of anteversion and inclination.

The influence of spine-hip relations on total hip replacement: A systematic review

Sagittal pelvic kinematics along with spino-pelvic angular parameters have recently been studied by numerous investigators for their effect on total hip replacement (THR) clinical outcomes, but many issue of spine-hip relations (SHR) are currently unexplored. Therefore, our review aims at clarifying the following questions: is there any evidence of a relationship between articular impingement/dislocation risk in primary THR and (1) certain sagittal pelvic kinematics patterns, (2) pelvic incidence, and (3) types of SHRs? A systematic review of the existing literature utilising PubMed and Google search engines was performed in January 2017. Only clinical or computational studies published in peer-reviewed journals over the last five years in either English or French were reviewed. We identified 769 reports, of which 12 met our eligibility criteria. A review of literature shows that sagittal pelvic kinematics, but not the pelvic incidence, influences the risk of prosthetic impingement/dislocation. We found no study having assessed the relationship between this risk and the types of SHRs. Sagittal pelvic kinematics is highly variable among individuals and certain kinematic patterns substantially influences the risk of prosthetic impingement/dislocation. Recommendations for cup positioning are therefore switching from a systematic to a patient-specific approach, with the standing cup orientation Lewinneck safe zone progressively giving way to a new parameter of interest: the functional orientation of the cup. Based on a recently published classification for SHRs, We propose a new concept of "kinematically aligned THR" for the purposes of THR planning. Further studies are needed to investigate the relevance of such a classification towards the assumptions and hypothesis we have made. Level of evidence,- Level IV, systematic review of level III and IV studies.

The Evolution of Computer-Assisted Total Hip Arthroplasty and Relevant Applications

In total hip arthroplasty (THA), the accurate positioning of implants is the key to achieve a good clinical outcome. Computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery (CAOS) has been developed for more accurate positioning of implants during the THA. There are passive, semi-active, and active systems in CAOS for THA. Navigation is a passive system that only provides information and guidance to the surgeon. There are 3 types of navigation: imageless navigation, computed tomography (CT)-based navigation, and fluoroscopy-based navigation. In imageless navigation system, a new method of registration without the need to register the anterior pelvic plane was introduced. CT-based navigation can be efficiently used for pelvic plane reference, the functional pelvic plane in supine which adjusts anterior pelvic plane sagittal tilt for targeting the cup orientation. Robot-assisted system can be either active or semi-active. The active robotic system performs the preparation for implant positioning as programmed preoperatively. It has been used for only femoral implant cavity preparation. Recently, program for cup positioning was additionally developed. Alternatively, for ease of surgeon acceptance, semi-active robot systems are developed. It was initially applied only for cup positioning. However, with the development of enhanced femoral workflows, this system can now be used to position both cup and stem. Though there have been substantial advancements in computer-assisted THA, its use can still be controversial at present due to the steep learning curve, intraoperative technical issues, high cost and etc. However, in the future, CAOS will certainly enable the surgeon to operate more accurately and lead to improved outcomes in THA as the technology continues to evolve rapidly.