Validation of a Novel Software Measurement Tool for Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background Preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation of component position in total hip arthroplasty (THA) utilize specialized software that must be able to provide measurements that are both accurate and precise. A new software program for use in THA has recently been developed. We sought to evaluate the accuracy of this new software in comparison with two current, widely used software programs. Methodology Postoperative anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs from 135 THA patients were retrospectively reviewed. Reference values for acetabular anteversion, inclination, and leg length were established using validated software programs (TraumaCad(®) as the primary reference value [PRV] and OsiriX Lite(TM) as the secondary reference value [SRV]). Measurements from the new software program (Intellijoint VIEW(TM)) were compared with reference values using Student’s t-test and chi-square test. Results For anteversion, mean values for the PRV (27.34° ± 7.27°) and the new software (27.29° ± 7.21°) were not significantly different (p = 0.49). The new software differed from the PRV by a mean of 0.05° ± 0.93°. Similar results were noted for inclination, where the new software differed from the PRV and SRV by -0.13° ± 0.65° and 0.25° ± 1.26°, respectively (mean values: PRV: 43.62° ± 6.02°; SRV: 43.99° ± 6.27°; new software: 43.74° ± 6.17°; p = 0.87), and for leg length, where the new software differed from the PRV and SRV by 0.05 mm ± 0.46 mm and 0.22 mm ± 0.52 mm, respectively (mean values: PRV: 10.61 mm ± 11.60 mm; SRV: 10.77 mm ± 11.70 mm; new software: 10.56 mm ­ ± 11.61 mm; p = 0.98). Measurements were highly correlated across multiple reviewers (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.987). Conclusions The new software measurement tool is accurate and precise for assessing the acetabular component position and leg length measurements following THA in AP pelvic radiographs compared to currently used image measurement software.