Anterior acetabular coverage and femoral head-neck measurements predict postoperative anterior impingement: A simulation study

Abstract

The aim of this simulation study was to evaluate the relationship of elements of anterior acetabular coverage and femoral head-neck shape with the occurrence of postoperative anterior impingement after curved periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). Sixty-two patients with symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip who had undergone curved PAO were selected. The likelihood of developing postoperative anterior impingement was explored through simulations of the range of motion by collision detection of the pelvis and femur. Postoperative anterior impingement was defined as impingement that occurred during postoperative bone flexion <105° or postoperative internal rotation <20° at 90° flexion. The three-dimensional center-edge (CE) angles, acetabular and femoral versions, radiographic alpha angles of the femoral head, combination angles of anterior CE and alpha angles, and combined anteversions of acetabular and femoral versions were compared between patients with postoperative anterior impingement and nonimpingement. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to determine thresholds of the examined radiographic parameters and calculate their accuracy for predicting postoperative anterior impingement. A multivariate analysis was performed to test whether combined anteversion, anterior CE angle, and combination angle are associated with excellent modified Harris Hip Scores (mHHSs). ROC analysis demonstrated a combination angle ≥108° was predictive of the occurrence of postoperative anterior impingement after curved PAO, which can lead to impaired clinical outcomes. Conversely, a combination angle <108° was significantly associated with mHHS ≥ 90 points. To avoid postoperative anterior impingement, osteochondroplasty of the femoral head or anterior CE angle control should be performed for patients with preoperative combination angles ≥90°.

Keywords: anterior acetabular coverage; curved periacetabular osteotomy; postoperative anterior impingement; range of motion simulation; α angle.