Effect of superior and superolateral relocations of the hip center on hip joint forces. An experimental and analytical analysis

With the extensive use of uncemented acetabular components in total hip arthroplasty, relocation of the hip center has become increasingly necessary to avoid bulk grafts and to promote contact between the porous prosthetic surface and bone. Compared with the anatomic hip center, superolateral relocation theoretically results in higher hip joint forces and has been shown in cemented acetabular components to result in an increased clinical failure rate. This study experimentally and analytically compared the hip joint forces in normal, superior, and superolateral hip center locations during both single-leg stance and stairclimbing, performing this comparison over a wide range of hip joint applied flexion moments. An advanced loading fixture was designed to allow any applied moment to be set independently of femoral position, incorporating all three major muscle groups active in stairclimbing position: extensors, abductors, and adductors. For all positions and moments tested, it was found that superolateral relocation caused significant increases in the total hip joint force, but did not affect the nonsagittal force component. Also, superior-only hip center relocation did not significantly affect the total joint force magnitudes or directions. The force increase on hip center lateralization can be attributed to a corresponding increase in the adduction moment. Results from the static analytical model developed supported these findings. The results of this study suggest that superolateral hip center relocation should be avoided and that superior-only relocation may be mechanically acceptable within the confines of the osseous anatomy of the acetabulum.