Impact of acetabular roof’s angle on precision of cup center of rotation reproduction and placement in total hip arthroplasty

Introduction Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is nowadays considered as the most effective treatment option for end-stage hip osteoarthritis (OA) and one of the most successful orthopedic procedures. Precise reproduction of the center of rotation (COR) is among the most important aspects of recreating native hip biomechanics after THA as it is strictly related to muscle tension and force distribution within the hip joint. Both vertical and horizontal shift in cup positioning and COR restoration are commonly observed radiological signs corresponding with lesser functional outcome. The aim of this study was to assess whether the superior border of the native acetabulum morphology has an impact on cup positioning and COR restoration in patients undergoing THA as treatment of primary OA of the hip. Material and methods A cohort of 150 consecutive patients with diagnosis of end-stage primary hip OA who underwent THA via an anterolateral approach with the same implant in 2021 was analyzed retrospectively. Standard standing pelvic X-rays were performed pre- and postopera- tively and appropriate measurements were taken. Several radiological parameters on obtained X-rays were assessed. Statistical analysis of all the measurements was performed. Results There was a statistically significant positive weak correlation between cup offset and ace- tabular roof angle (rs = 0.25, p = 0.002). There were statistically insignificant positive correlations between acetabular roof angle and COR restoration (rs = 0.14, p = 0.097), acetabular roof angle and total offset (rs = 0.087, p = 0.29) and a negative correlation between acetabular roof angle and femoral offset (rs = 0.071, p = 0.39). Conclusions The present study revealed that preoperative acetabular roof angle influences the positioning of the prosthetic cup in the transverse axis. There also seems to be a correlation between the acetabular roof angle and COR restoration, but its significance needs further evaluation. Surgeons could use this knowledge to preoperatively assess the risk of cup malposition and adjust their technique during the THA procedure with probable improvement of hip function.