Abstract
Purpose
Spinopelvic parameters are associated with the development of symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement and subsequent osteoarthritis. Pelvic incidence (PI) characterizes the sagittal profile of the pelvis and is important in the regulation of both lumbar lordosis and pelvic orientation (i.e. tilt). The purpose of this imaging-based study was to test the association between PI and acetabular morphology.
Methods
Measurements of the pelvis and acetabulum were performed for 96 control patients and 29 hip dysplasia patients using 3D-computed topography (3D-CT) scans. Using previously validated measurements the articular cartilage and cotyloid fossa area of the acetabulum, functional acetabular version/inclination, acetabular depth, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and PI were calculated. Non-parametric statistical tests were used; significance was set at p<0.05.
Results
Of the 125 scans analyzed in this study, 65% were females and the average age was 24.8±6.0 years old. Thirty-six (14.4%) hips had acetabular retroversion; 178 (71.2%) had normal acetabular version; and 36 (14.4%) had high acetabular anteversion. Acetabular version moderately correlated with pelvic incidence; (Sρearman= 0.4; p<0.001). Patients with acetabular retroversion had significantly lower PI (44.2°; 95% CI 41.0–47.4°), compared to those with normal acetabular version (49.4°; 95% CI 47.8–51.0°) (p=0.004). Patients with normal version had significantly lower PI compared to those with high acetabular anteversion (56.4°; 95% CI 52.8–60.0°) (p<0.001). A significant difference in pelvic tilt between the groups (retroversion: 3±7; normal: 9±6; high version: 17±7) (p<0.001) was noted. Acetabular depth inversely and weakly correlated with pelvic incidence (ρ= −0.2; p=0.001). No other of the acetabular parameter correlated with the spinopelvic parameters tested.
Conclusion
This is the first study to demonstrate the association between PI and functional acetabular version using 3D-CT scans. The results of this study illustrate the importance of PI as a descriptor of both pelvic and acetabular morphology and function.
