Preoperative Anteroposterior and Lateral Assessment of Sagittal Spinopelvic Parameters Show High Positional Correlation and Measurement Reliability Preceding Both Hip Preservation and Reconstruction Surgery
Authors
Kuhns BD, McCarroll TR, Quesada-Jimenez R, Kahana-Rojkind AH, Sikligar D, Cohen MF, Domb BG.
Background
The way the pelvis and spine align can affect hip pain and hip surgery outcomes. Doctors use X-rays in different positions to measure this alignment, but it is not always clear how reliable or consistent these measurements are.
Methods
Researchers reviewed X-rays taken in different positions (standing, lying down, and sitting) in patients having hip surgery. They compared different measurements of pelvic and spine alignment to see how consistent and accurate they were.
Key Findings
- Most measurements were reliable, especially when standing or lying down
- One measurement (called sacral slope) was the most consistent
- Some sitting measurements were less reliable
- Certain X-ray measurements closely matched more advanced measurements of spine alignment
Conclusion
X-rays can reliably assess how the pelvis and spine are aligned before hip surgery, especially in standing and lying positions.
What Does This Mean For Patients
Proper hip function depends partly on how the spine and pelvis are aligned. This study shows that routine X-rays can give surgeons useful information to better plan hip surgery and potentially improve outcomes.