Introduction

Total hip replacement (THR) is one of the most widely performed surgeries. There were 98.649 hip replacement procedures performed in 2019 in the United Kingdom [1]. Not only is it cost-effective treatment, but what is more important it is a very successful one, which relieves patients from pain, improves their quality of life and restores decreased range of motion. Unfortunately, there still exists a group of patients, which does not derive any advantage from THR. It is most often caused by the impact of mechanical aspects of THR on clinical outcome.

In everyday clinical practice, radiographs are the most widely used tool for imaging. It is the most widespread and commonplace method. Classical radiography is associated with a lower dose of radiation in comparison to computed tomography. Its advantage over other imaging methods results also from the lowest price. Computed tomography can be used for postoperative assessment as well. It is certainly more accurate than radiographs, but it has its limitations, such as radiation dose and limited availability [2]. There is also one method of imaging—magnetic resonance imaging, which is far less accessible and more expensive than previously mentioned imaging modalities. However, there are situations in which magnetic resonance imaging is helpful to obtain a diagnosis. They include tendinopathy, implants loosening, persistent postoperative pain or other conditions that are hard or even impossible to detect using computed tomography and classical radiography.

In connection with this, in the majority of cases, radiographs are perfectly adequate. What is more, the application of this imaging technique is not associated with the artifacts caused by metal implants, in contrast to the use computed tomography or magnetic resonance.

Aim of this article is to indicate which constituents can be measured on postoperative radiographs and point out how to interpret obtained results.

Multiple mechanical and biomechanical factors, such as center of rotation (COR), femoral offset, acetabular offset, acetabular inclination (AI), acetabular anteversion and leg length discrepancy can be measured on radiographs. Each one of them, in varying degrees, can affect the outcome of the surgery.

Materials and methods

The literature was reviewed. Articles related to the subject, published in the years 1978–2021 were researched. Therefore publications including keywords such as total hip replacement, center of rotation, femoral offset, acetabular offset, cup anteversion, cup inclination and leg length discrepancy were searched in the PubMed database. Research was focused on English language papers, available abstracts, studies performed on people and articles. Inclusion of the articles was determined on the basis of titles, then abstracts, eventually entire articles. As terms of exclusion non-English language articles, papers ahead of print and only titles or abstract available were chosen. All studies presenting procedures conducted on animals were also excluded. If there occurred any signs of unreliability or relation to the topic were insignificant, the articles were eliminated during further evaluation. Afterwards, every selected article was verified another time. Any duplicates or obsolete information were removed. Research and error risk assessments were performed by one author. All information was selected and verified individually. Analysis and synthesis of studies were prepared independently.

All methods of measurements apply to radiographs taken in the supine position at a source-to-film distance of 100–115 cm with the X-ray beam directed to the midpoint of the pubic symphysis and perpendicular to the patient.

The described radiographic technique is a non-weight-bearing view. It is connected with the lesser radiation dose, allows to obtain a better quality radiographs, but it does not take into account the functional anatomy in contrast to weight-bearing view.

Results

Center of rotation (COR)

One of the goals of THR is to reconstruct the COR. As the study shows, restoring COR is an extremely important factor affecting operation result. It should be restored within 5 mm medial and 3 mm superior to the normal side. If optimal reconstruction is unattainable, the ability to control hip offset meticulously is limited. Shifting COR over 1 cm superiorly or medially causes early radiological signs of loosening. Malposition of COR may lead to abnormal gait, abductors insufficiency, increased risk of im**ement and dislocation [3]. What is more, well reconstructed COR reduces the number of failures and revision surgeries [4]. Proper position of COR diminishes the risk of leg length discrepancy.

Ranawat’s method is an old but still applicable method used for the definition of the COR [5]. To determine the center of rotation on anteroposterior pelvis radiograph, two horizontal lines must be drawn. One at the level of iliac crests and the second one, at the level of ischial tuberosities. These lines must be connected by a perpendicular line passing through a point, which is located 5 mm lateral to the intersection of Kohler’s and Shenton’s lines. Point B and point C are situated along the horizontal line at the level of the subchondral roof of the cup. Point B is at an equal distance from both A and C points. COR is located half the length of the AC line [3, 5] (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Determination of the COR. A. point located 5 mm lateral to the intersection of the Kohler’s and Shenton’s lines; B. point situated along the horizontal line at the level of the subchondral roof of the cup; at equal distance from both A and C points; C. point situated along the horizontal line at the level of the subchondral roof of the cup; D. point located half the length of the AC line

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Femoral offset

Femoral offset is stated as a distance from the COR of the femoral head to a line bisecting the long axis of the femur [3] (Fig. 2). Restored femoral offset enhances biomechanics, such as abduction strength and range of motion (ROM) by improving flexion and internal rotation of the hip [15, 23].

The leg length discrepancy on anteroposterior radiographs is given as the difference in perpendicular distance between a line passing through the lower edge of the teardrop points to the corresponding tip of the lesser trochanter [10] (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6
figure 6

Leg length discrepancy measurement. A and A’ are located at the level of the tips of the lesser trochanters. B and B’ are situated at the level of the lower edge of the teardrop points. AB and A’B’ lines are distances between a line passing through the lower edge of the teardrop points to the corresponding tip of the lesser trochanter. Difference between AB and A’B’ lengths is stated as leg length discrepancy

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Conclusions

To provide a successful surgery and to acquire both radiological and clinical satisfying results, all of the mechanics and biomechanics must be restored, if it is not, surgery can aggravate the patient’s complaints instead of removing them and the results of performed THR can be unsatisfactory. This may also result in dislocation or the need for reoperation.