Rotational abnormalities in dysplastic hips and how to predict acetabular torsion

ConclusionAlthough the femoral and acetabular torsion cannot be predicted from x-rays, the anteversion of the acetabulum correlates with the acetabular index angle, the hip lateralization index, and eventually the beta angle in dysplastic hips. For borderline-dysplastic hips, such results did not show up, which strongly illustrates the need for computed tomography in these cases.Key Points• Much of the current literature focuses on rotational alignment especially with respect to the femur and tibia in healthy patients, although little is known about the acetabular, femoral, and tibial torsion in dysplastic hips.• This is the first study showing significant correlations between the anteversion of the acetabulum and the hip lateralization index as well as the acetabular inclination angle. Also, it is the first study to provide a mechanism for estimation of the torsion of the acetabulum with plain radiograp hy in dysplastic hips.• In borderline-dysplastic hips, no significant correlation was found, which raises the question if a simple x-ray has enough validity to address the acetabular deformity with surgery.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research