Reliability and validity of the functional combined anteversion measurement method using standing lateral radiography after total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: The functional safe zone of combined anteversion (CA) shows a superior predictive value for dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) compared to that of the Lewinnek safe zone. Thus, it is necessary to establish a feasible and accurate method for assessing CA for the evaluation of dislocation risk. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of using standing lateral (SL) radiographs for determining CA. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who underwent SL radiography and computed tomography (CT) scans after THA were included. Radiographic CA values were obtained via the calculation of the sum of the acetabular cup and femoral stem anteversion (FSA) measurements as obtained from the SL radiographs. Acetabular cup anteversion (AA) was measured based on the tangential line to the face of the cup, whereas FSA was calculated using the developed formula based on the neck-shaft angle. The intra-observer and inter-observer reliabilities for each measurement were examined. Radiological CA values were compared with the CT scan measurements to evaluate their validity. RESULTS: The intra-observer and inter-observer agreements of the SL radiography were excellent [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ≥0.90]. The radiographic measurements correlated well with the CT scan measurements (r=0.869, P<0.001). The mean difference between the radiographic and CT scan measurements was −0.55°±4.68° and ranged from 0.3° to 2.2° in terms of the 95% confidence interval (CI). CONCLUSIONS: SL radiography is a reliable and valid imaging tool for the assessment of functional CA.