A new method of measuring acetabular cup anteversion on simulated radiographs.
OBJECTIVE
Optimal positioning of acetabular components is crucial for maintaining stability of THA. Postoperative assessment of acetabular anteversion is a vital but difficult task. Various methods have been devised with good results for measuring anteversion on plain radiographs but these methods are either too complicated or require special objects like scientific calculators, special protectors, tables, etc. A new simplified method of measuring anteversion on plain radiographs was created based on basic geometry.


METHODS
Anteversion of acetabular components was estimated on computer generated images of the acetabular cup by our method and compared with two previously established methods of Liaw and Pradhan. Measurement was done at 400 different positions of acetabular cup and compared with actual values. Another analysis was done after adding the femoral head to the acetabular component, thus obscuring some of the acetabular rim.


RESULTS
Mean and standard deviation of error for our method was 0.77° ± 0.75° as compared to 0.93° ± 0.86° and 0.72° ± 0.68° for the methods of Liaw and Pardhan, respectively, with no significant differences from actual values. Maximal errors for our method, Liaw's and Pradhan's method were 3°, 4°, and 2.91°, respectively. On analysis, after the adding femoral head, there was a significant error of measurement with Liaw's method, while our method as well as Pardhan's remained accurate. All methods showed high inter- and intraobserver reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
Our new simplified method of measuring acetabular anteversion on plain radiographs is acceptable in comparision to other established methods and requires only routinely used goniometer and calliper.
Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. vikasbachhal@gmail.com
Vikas
V
Bachhal
Nipun
N
Jindal
Gaurav
G
Saini
Radheshyam
R
Sament
Vishal
V
Kumar
Devendra
D
Chouhan
Mandeep
M
Dhillon
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods*; D060750:Bone Anteversion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006617:Hip Dislocation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results