Analysis of Acetabular Cup Positioning and Functional Outcomes in Total Hip Replacement

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Radiology

Background:

• Acetabular cup positioning is crucial for successful total hip replacement (THR).
• Suboptimal positioning can lead to biomechanical issues and complications.
• Computed tomography (CT) provides precise measurement of cup orientation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between postoperative acetabular cup orientation (inclination and anteversion) and functional outcomes in THR patients.
• To assess the utility of CT scans in evaluating cup positioning.
• To correlate cup orientation with the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and range of motion (ROM).

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study of 30 primary THR patients.
• Postoperative cup inclination and anteversion measured using CT scans.
• Functional outcomes assessed at six months using HHS and ROM.

Main Results:

• Mean anteversion was 15.3° ± 5.85°, mean inclination was 42.7° ± 5.31°.
• Significant improvements in ROM were observed (p<0.001).
• No significant correlation was found between cup orientation and HHS (anteversion: r=0.12, p=0.52; inclination: r=0.08, p=0.67).

Conclusions:

• While precise cup positioning enhances stability, functional outcomes are multifactorial, influenced by comorbidities and rehabilitation.
• CT is a reliable tool for postoperative assessment of acetabular cup orientation.
• Larger, multicenter studies with longer follow-up are needed to validate findings.