Learning objectives
- To review the types and normal radiographic appearance of hip arthroplasty.
- To discuss and illustrate the imaging findings of the most commons complications of hip arthroplasty.
Background
The hip joint is a ball and socket synovial joint formed by the articulation of the femoral head with the acetabulum.
Hip arthroplasty is one of the most common procedures performed for the treatment of advanced osteoarthritis and is also a required in approximately one-third of hip fracture patients.
Types of hip replacements
1.
Hemiarthroplasty (Fig. 1)
Hemiarthroplasty is a surgery that replaces the femoral head,
resulting in an articulation between a prosthetic femoral head and the native acetabular cartilage.
Hemiarthroplasty at the hip is...
Imaging findings OR Procedure Details
Despite the widespread use of MRI,
CT and sonography in joint imaging,
the radiography remains the primary imaging method for the evaluation of hip arthroplastyand its complications.
Radiographic view(Fig. 4)
The initial postoperative protocol is an antero-posterior (AP) pelvic radiograph.
The AP view of the pelvis is taken with the patient supine,
hips in extension and 15° internal rotation.
The centre of the x-ray beam should be focused on the pubic symphysis to ensure the inclusion of the entire hip prothesis.
Initial evaluation
Assessment of...
Conclusion
The postoperative radiograph remains the key in the evaluation of hip arthroplasty.
Knowledge of the different types and fixating techniques of hip arthroplasty is extremely important for correct imaging interpretation.
References
Miller TT.
Imaging of hip arthroplasty.
European Journal of Radiology 81 (2012) 3802– 3812
McBride TJ,
Prakash D.
How to read a postoperative total hip replacement radiograph.
Postgrad Med 2011; 87: 101–9.
Vanrusselt J,
Vansevenant M,
Vanderschueren G,
Vanhoenacker F.
Postoperative radiograph of the hip arthroplasty: what the radiologist should know.
Insights Imaging (2015) 6:591–600
Mulcahy H,
Chew FS.
Current Concepts of Hip Arthroplasty for Radiologists: Part 1,
Features and Radiographic Assessment.
AJR 2012; 199:559–569
Mulcahy H,
Chew FS.
Current concepts of hip arthroplasty for...