Computer-assisted navigation as a diagnostic tool in revision total hip arthroplasty: A case report

Revision total hip arthroplasty is a costly procedure accounting for approximately 14% of all hip arthroplasties. Compounding the cost considerations is the potential for serious injury to the patient when removing existing components. Such injury can result in not only increased morbidity but also dramatically increased costs. The use of computer-assisted navigation in revision total hip arthroplasty, while relatively uncommon, offers surgeons the ability to measure component position and orientation intraoperatively, thus allowing them the opportunity to modify their surgical plan, with the potential for decreasing both costs and iatrogenic injury. Here, we report a case of revision total hip arthroplasty where the use of computer-assisted navigation as a diagnostic tool allowed for intraoperative alterations in surgical plan and resulted in improved post-operative outcomes.