The aims of this study were to determine the change in the sagittal alignment of the pelvis and the associated impact on acetabular component position at one-year follow-up after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study represents the one-year follow-up of a previous short-term study at our institution. Using the patient population from our prior study, the radiological pelvic ratio was assessed in 91 patients undergoing THA, of whom 50 were available for follow-up of at least one year (median 1.5; interquartile range (IQR) 1.1 to 2.0). Anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis were obtained in the standing position preoperatively and at one year postoperatively. Pelvic ratio was defined as the ratio between the vertical distance from the inferior sacroiliac (SI) joints to the superior pubic symphysis and the horizontal distance between the inferior SI joints. Apparent acetabular component position changes were determined from the change in pelvic ratio. A change of at least 5° was considered clinically meaningful.Aims
Methods
The aims of this study were to determine the change in pelvic sagittal alignment before, during, and after total hip arthroplasty (THA) undertaken with the patient in the lateral decubitus position, and to determine the impact of these changes on acetabular component position. We retrospectively compared the radiological pelvic ratio among 91 patients undergoing THA. In total, 41 patients (46%) were female. The mean age was 61.6 years (Aims
Patients and Methods
Malposition of the acetabular component in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is linked to multiple adverse outcomes. Changes in the sagittal plane position of the pelvis, owing both to patient positioning in the operating room and to altered spinopelvic alignment following surgery, potentially contribute to variation in component position. The dynamics of sagittal plane pelvic position before, during, and after THA have not been defined. We measured the differences in pelvic ratio, a measure of sagittal plane pelvic position, between preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anteroposterior (AP) radiographs of patients undergoing THA in the lateral decubitus position. We retrospectively compared the radiographic pelvic ratio among 90 patients undergoing THA. AP radiographs were obtained in the standing position preoperatively and at 6 weeks after surgery; in the lateral decubitus position after trial reduction intraoperatively; and in the supine position in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Pelvic ratio was defined as the ratio between the vertical distance from the inferior sacroiliac (SI) joints to the superior pubic symphysis and the horizontal distance between the inferior SI joints. Radlink software was used to determine the pelvic ratio on each radiograph. Changes in apparent cup position based on changes in pelvic ratio were calculated using data from the literature, and a change of at least 10 degrees in acetabular component position was defined as clinically meaningful. Analyses were performed using paired t-tests, with p<0.05 defined as significant.Introduction
Methods