Periacetabular osteotomy in adult hip dysplasia - developing a computer aided real-time biomechanical guiding system...

Osteotomies around hip acetabulum have become a routine surgical intervention in cases with constant pain without joint degeneration in adult dysplasia. However, it remains a challenge to plan and realign optimally the joint after osteotomy to reach best function and longevity in the clinical outcome. Tool tracking navigation systems have been available for many years but they have not become popular among surgeons because they extend operation time, require preoperative CT scan and, on the other hand, produce only marginal advantage in hands of an experienced surgeon. Real-time biomechanical assessment, based on computer analysis using preoperative CT-scanning, has become an interesting means to adjust the acetabular reorientation during surgery according to the patient's individual structure and loading conditions. Further, real-time feedback allows the surgeon to foresee radiographic angles while performing fixation of the osteotomized fragment. Assessment of peak pressure and potential weight bearing area in real-time allows prospective and retrospective systematic biomechanical studies of patient outcomes. To conclude, a major development in navigation software is under way and we have so far seen a spectrum of new features like loading condition assessment in real time for osteotomies. This is, however, merely the start of a revolutionary change in operative planning in orthopaedics with the help of computer aided guiding and bioengineering.