Abstract
Introduction & aims
Correct prosthetic alignment is important to the longevity and function of a total hip replacement (THR). With the growth of 3-dimensional imaging for planning and assessment of THR, the importance of restoring, not just leg length and medial offset, but anterior offset has been raised. The change in anterior offset will be influenced by femoral anteversion, but there are also other factors that will affect the overall change after THR. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anterior offset and stem anteversion to determine the extent to which changing anteversion influences anterior offset.
Method
Sixty patients received a preoperative CT scan as part of their routine planning for THR (Optimized Ortho, Sydney). All patients received a Trinity cementless shell and a cemented TaperFit stem (Corin, UK) by the senior author through an anterolateral approach. Stem anteversion was positioned intraoperatively to align with cup anteversion via a modified Ranawat test. Postoperatively, patients received a CT scan which was superimposed onto the pre-op CT scan. The difference between native and achieved stem anteversion was measured, along with the 3-dimensional change in head centre from pre-to post-op. Finally, the relationship between change in stem anteversion and change in anterior offset was investigated.
Results
Mean change in anterior offset was −2.3mm (−14.0 to 7.0mm). Mean change in anteversion from native was −3.0° (−18.8° to 10.5°). There was a strong correlation between change in anterior offset and change in anteversion, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.89. A 1° increase in anteversion equated to a 0.7mm increase in anterior offset.
Conclusions
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A change in the anteroposterior position of the femoral head is primarily affected by a change in stem anteversion, with a 1° increase in anteversion equating to a 0.7mm increase in anterior offset.
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The AP position of the stem in the canal, along with the flexion of the stem will also contribute.
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Given the well-recognised influence of leg length, medial offset and combined anteversion on restoring hip function, it seems reasonable to assume that anterior offset will also have a significant effect on the biomechanics of the replaced hip.
