Hip joint center location from palpable bony landmarks--a cadaver study

An anatomical anthropometric study of adult human cadaveric pelves was performed to investigate the relationship between hip joint center (HJC) and selected aspects of pelvic geometry. Sixty-five pelves (35 female and 30 male) were examined. Measurements of pelvic geometry and HJC (center of bony acetabular rim) were taken from bony landmarks of de-fleshed pelves. Correlation analysis revealed that HJC cannot be accurately located as a function of pelvic width alone, but requires estimation as a function of pelvic height and depth as well. HJC was optimally located relative to the respective ASIS: 14% of pelvic width medial (mean error 0.58 cm), 34% of pelvic depth posterior (mean error 0.30 cm), and 79% of pelvic height inferior (mean error 0.35 cm). No significant differences were found between males and females in HJC estimation.