TITLE:
Acetabular Component Positioning and Risk of Dislocation in Hip Arthroplasty: Is Lewinnek’s Safe Zone Truly Safe?
AUTHORS:
Oliver Damiani Meyer, Luis Henrique Zambra Wink, Walter Brandt Iserhard, Carlos Roberto Schwartsmann, Anthony Kerbes Yépez, Leandro de Freitas Spinelli
KEYWORDS:
Acetabular Component Positioning, Dislocation, Hip Arthroplasty, Lewinnek’s Safe Zone
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.15 No.2,
February
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: Objective: The present research aims to determine if adherence to the Lewinnek safe zone, when exclusively considered, constitutes a pivotal element for ensuring stability in the context of total hip arthroplasty. This is done by examining the acetabular placement in instances of hip dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methodology: The authors searched 2653 patient records from 2015 to 2022 looking for patients who had total hip arthroplasty at our facility. For the analysis, 23 patients were culled from 64 individuals who exhibited post-THA dislocations, employing a stringent exclusion criterion, and the resultant acetabular angulation and anteversion were quantified utilizing PEEKMED software (Peek Health S.A., Portugal) upon radiographic evidence. Results: Within the operational timeframe, from the cohort of 2653 subjects, 64 presented with at least a singular incident of displacement. Post-exclusion criterion enforcement, 23 patients were eligible for inclusion. Of these, 10 patients conformed to the safe zone demarcated by Lewinnek for both inclination and anteversion angles, while 13 exhibited deviations from the prescribed anteversion and/or inclination benchmarks. Conclusion: Analysis of the 23 patients reveals that 13 did not confirm to be in the safe zone parameters for anteversion and/or inclination, whereas 10 were within the safe zone as per Lewinnek’s guidelines. This investigative review, corroborated by extant literature, suggests that the isolated consideration of the Lewinnek safe zone does not suffice as a solitary protective factor. It further posits that additional variables are equally critical as acetabular positioning and mandate individual assessment.