Utility of Upright Weight-bearing Imaging in Total Hip Arthroplasty

Planning for total hip arthroplasty (THA) has traditionally been performed using static supine anteroposterior radiographs of the pelvis. Recent advances in imaging technology and the understanding of human spinopelvic kinematics have made weight-bearing radiography an important adjunct to supine imaging. Hip surgeons can use weight-bearing imaging to optimize THA component position to prevent hip instability and early component wear. The goal of this narrative review is to delineate the fundamentals of spinopelvic kinematics, the benefits of surgical planning using weight-bearing radiography, and the underpinnings of upright full-body stereoradiography as a useful adjunct to traditional supine radiographs.