The use of trabecular metal (TM.) shells supported by two TM augments in the footing technique has been described as a potential option for the treatment of Paprosky 3B acetabular defects. The aim of this study was to assess the mid implant survivorship and radiological and clinical outcomes after acetabular revision using this technique.

We undertook a retrospective, double-centre series of 39 hips in 39 patients (15 male, 24 female) treated with the footing technique using a TM shell supported by two TM augments, for severe acetabular bone loss between 2007 and 2020. The mean age at the time of surgery was 62,9 (28 to 86) years. The mean follow-up was 5,4 (1,5 to 15) years.

The cumulative mid survivorship of the implant with revision for any cause was 89%. 3 hips (7,6%) required further revision due to aseptic loosening, and 1 (2,8%) required revision for infection. The mean Harris Hip Score improved significantly from 48 (29 to 65) preoperatively to 79 points (62 to 98) at the latest follow-up (p < 0.001).

The reconstruction of Paprosky 3B acetabular defects with TM shells and two augments in footing-technique showed excellent mid-term results. This technique appears to be a viable option for treating these defects.

The sagittal orientation of the pelvis commonly called pelvic tilt has an effect on the orientation of the cup in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Pelvic tilt is different between individuals and changes during activities of daily living. In particular the pelvic tilt in standing position should be considered during the planning of THA to adapt the target angles of the cup patient-specifically to minimise wear and the risk of dislocation. Methods to measure pelvic tilt require an additional step in the planning process, may be time consuming and require additional devices or x-ray imaging.

In this study the relationship between three functional parameters describing the sagittal pelvic orientation in standing position and seven morphological parameters of the pelvis was investigated. Correlations might be used to estimate the pelvic tilt in standing position by the morphology of the pelvis in order to avoid additional measuring techniques of pelvic tilt in the planning process of THA. For 18 subjects a semi-automatic process was established to match a 3D-reconstruction of the pelvis from CT scans to orthogonal EOS imaging in standing position and to calculate the morphological and functional parameters of the pelvis subsequently.

The two strongest correlations of the linear correlation analysis were observed between morphological pelvic incidence and functional sacral slope (r = 0.78; p = 0.0001) and between morphological pubic symphysis-posterior superior iliac spines-ratio and functional tilt of anterior pelvic plane (r = −0.59; p = 0.0098). The results of this study suggest that patient-specific adjustments to the orientation of the cup in planning of THA without additional measurement of the sagittal pelvic orientation in standing position should be based on the correlation between morphological pelvic incidence and functional sacral slope.