Radiographic methods in total hip arthroplasty

Widespread acceptance of total hip arthroplasty has occurred in the United States. A review of the literature indicates the following: 1. Better binding material and methods of total hip arthroplasty will be developed. 2. Total hip arthroplasty will be done on younger patients. 3. There will be an increase in total hip replacements. 4. An increase in simultaneous bilateral total hip replacement will occur. 5. There is a need for standardization of the technique and positioning when radiographing the patient who undergone total hip replacement. A radiographic routine for the patient with a total hip replacement should include the following: 1. An anteroposterior projection of the pelvis or an anteroposterior projection of the hip. Either projection should be obtained with the toes pointing upward and not inverted. The entire prosthesis should be included on the radiograph. 2. A lateral projection of the entire prosthesis using the 15 degree posterior angle method. The advantages to this routine are:no special equipment is required, the lack of movement required by the patient and the ease in obtaining these projections regardless of the patient's condition.