Postoperative radiograph of the hip arthroplasty: what the radiologist should know.
This pictorial review aims to provide the radiologist with simple and systematic guidelines for the radiographic evaluation of a hip prosthesis. Currently, there is a plethora of commercially available arthroplasties, making postoperative analysis not always straightforward. Knowledge of the different types of hip arthroplasty and fixating techniques is a prerequisite for correct imaging interpretation. After identification of the type of arthroplasty, meticulous and systematic analysis of the following parameters on an anteroposterior standing pelvic radiograph should be undertaken: leg length, vertical and horizontal centre of rotation, lateral acetabular inclination, and femoral stem positioning. Additional orthogonal views may be useful to evaluate acetabular anteversion. Complications can be classified in three major groups: periprosthetic lucencies, sclerosis or bone proliferation, and component failure or fracture. Teaching Points • To give an overview of the different types of currently used hip arthroplasties. • To provide a simple framework for a systematic approach to postoperative radiographs. • To discuss radiographic findings of the most common complications.
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Leuven, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. jan.1.vanrusselt@uzleuven.be.
Jan
J
Vanrusselt
Department of Radiology, University of Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.|Department of Radiology, AZ St-Maarten Duffel/Mechelen, Rooienberg 25, 2570, Duffel, Belgium.
Milan
M
Vansevenant
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Leuven, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Geert
G
Vanderschueren
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.|Department of Radiology, University of Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.|Department of Radiology, AZ St-Maarten Duffel/Mechelen, Rooienberg 25, 2570, Duffel, Belgium.
Filip
F
Vanhoenacker
Arthroplasty; Hip; Imaging; Postoperative complications; Radiography