The Role of Global Femoral Offset in Total Hip Arthroplasty with High Hip Center Technique

OBJECTIVE: The high hip center (HHC) technique has been proposed for the treatment of patients with developmental dysplaisa of the hip (DDH) who have an acetabular bone defect. However, the importance of global femoral offset (FO) in the application of this technique has not been sufficiently appreciated. Our goals were to confirm that the HHC technique is feasible in the treatment of patients with DDH and to assess the function of global FO in this procedure. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 73 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty using high hip center technique for unilateral DDH at our hospital between January 2014 and June 2019. According to global FO, the patients were split into three groups: increased FO group (increment greater than 5 mm), restored FO group (restoration within 5 mm) and decreased FO group (reduction greater than 5 mm). Patients' medical records and plain radiographs were reviewed. One‐way ANOVA was used to compare radiographic outcomes and Harris hip score (HHS). Paired t‐test was used to assess preoperative and postoperative HHS and leg length discrepancy. Trochanteric pain syndrome, Trendelenburg sign and postoperative limp was evaluated with Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The average follow‐up time was 7.5 ± 1.4 years. The patients' HHS and leg length discrepancy were significantly improved (p < 0.05). In terms of vertical acetabular height, abductor arm, postoperative leg length difference, and acetabular cup inclination, there was no statistically significant difference between the three groups. At the last follow‐up, HHS was significantly higher in the restored FO group than in the decreased FO and increased FO groups. Trochanteric pain syndrome occurred in 15.0% and Trendelenburg sign and postoperative limp in 8.2% of all patients, respectively. Trochanteric pain syndrome, Trendelenburg sign and postoperative limp did not differ significantly across the three groups. One patient in increased FO group underwent revision for dislocation 6 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: The HHC technique is an alternative technique for total hip arthroplasty in patients with acetabular bone abnormalities, according to the results of the mid‐term follow‐up. Also, controlling the correction of the global femoral offset to within 5 mm may lead to better clinical outcomes.