Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the applicability and ability of preoperative
templating to restore femoral offset and hip length with a calcar-guided short-stem
implant design in total hip arthroplasty through the direct anterior approach. Preoperative
measurements were performed of femoral offset, hip length, and stem size and compared
with the perioperative placed prosthesis in 100 patients undergoing primary total
hip replacement through direct anterior approach. Additionally, the pre- and postoperative
femoral offset and hip length were compared to evaluate the ability to restore the
offset and hip length with this kind of femoral short stem. With an acceptance of
1 size difference pre- and postoperatively, a 94% accuracy of predicting the size
of the calcar-guided short stem was achieved with templating. Femoral offset was within
means of 5 mm in 82.2% of the patients. Postoperative hip length was within 6 mm in
90% of the patients compared with the preoperative length.
The use of preoperative templating for total hip arthroplasty with calcar-guided short-stem
implants was proven to be a useful tool to predict the definite implanted size of
the femoral prosthesis. Our results show that this new stem design does not significantly
differ from previous reported outcomes with other stem designs and is competent to
restore the femoral offset and hip length within clinical acceptable range.
Level of evidence Level 3 retrospective case study.
Keywords total hip arthroplasty - templating - direct anterior approach - hip offset - hip
length
