Differences in Acetabular Morphology Related to Sex and Side in South Korean Population

The normal references for acetabular parameters are important for the diagnosis of hip diseases and planning of total hip arthroplasty. There are wide interindividual differences in acetabular morphology in the normal population, and little is known about differences in acetabular morphology in the average South Korean population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate side and sex differences in acetabular morphology in the South Korean population.

The acetabular parameters, including anteversion angle, abduction angle, center-edge angle, acetabular width and depth, and acetabular-head index, were measured on three-dimensional computed tomography images in 197 healthy Korean adults. Differences in acetabular parameters according to side and sex were evaluated.

The mean acetabular anteversion angle of men and women was 17.3° ± 5.2° and 20.1° ± 3.5°, respectively. The mean acetabular width of men and women was 61.5 ± 4.6 cm and 56.5 ± 4.0 cm, respectively. There were significant sex differences in acetabular anteversion angle (p = 0.001) and acetabular width (p = 0.036) when adjusted for age, body height, and weight. The mean acetabular width of the right side and the left side was 60.2 ± 5.2 cm and 57.8 ± 4.5 cm, respectively. There were significant side differences in acetabular width (p = 0.007) when adjusted for age, body height, weight, and sex.

Differences and reference ranges of acetabular parameters are important for the diagnosis of acetabular deformity, such as femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia. Moreover, these differences and reference ranges are useful for preoperative planning and safe positioning of acetabular components in total hip arthroplasty.