Changes in Center of Rotation and Offsets With Teardrop-Landmark Acetabular Cup Positioning: A Computed Tomography...

Restoration of the hip center of rotation (COR) is a primary goal in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although the teardrop has been widely used as a reference for acetabular cup positioning, its effect on offsets remains uncertain. We conducted a computed tomography-based simulation study of 60 hips (30 osteoarthritis, 30 osteonecrosis of the femoral head) undergoing THA. The contralateral, unaffected hip served as the control. The acetabular cup was positioned just lateral to the teardrop, aligned with the true floor of the acetabulum using preoperative templating software. Acetabular, femoral, and vertical offsets (AO, FO, and VO) were measured bilaterally, and the horizontal and vertical displacements of the COR were evaluated. Compared to the contralateral unaffected side, AO and FO significantly decreased and VO significantly increased on the surgical side (p < 0.01). The COR shifted medially and superiorly in both OA and ONFH groups (average: 2.7-2.8 mm medial, 2.0-2.8 mm superior). In the OA group, global offset (GO), the sum of AO and FO, decreased by 4.7 mm due to a significant reduction in FO. Teardrop-based positioning of the acetabular cup results in medial and superior displacement of the COR, consequently reducing AO and GO. In patients with osteoarthritis, a decreased FO further compromises GO, making femoral component adjustment essential for biomechanical restoration. Further investigation into the clinical ramifications of these offset changes is warranted.