Evaluation of acetabular integrity and orientation in patients with hip osteoarthritis using computerized tomography

Abstract

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease influenced by multiple factors, including anatomical variations of the acetabulum. While previous studies have examined hip joint morphology, most have relied on anterior-posterior (AP) radiographs, limiting detailed assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the role of acetabular morphology in the development of hip osteoarthritis by assessing acetabular coverage, inclination, and anteversion via computerized tomography (CT) imaging, while also exploring associations between anatomical variations and demographic factors such as age, gender, and geographic distribution. This cross-sectional observational study included 30 patients diagnosed with hip OA (30 hips), patients with bilateral hip osteoarthritis were excluded to avoid confounding effects, and 30 healthy controls (30 hips), matched for age, sex, and BMI, Acetabular parameters were measured using CT scans, and statistical analysis was performed to compare differences between groups. Acetabular measurements included anteversion, inclination, Wiberg center-edge angle, and acetabular sector angles. OA patients exhibited significantly smaller acetabular anteversion angles, greater acetabular inclination, and increased center-edge angles compared to controls. These findings suggest a tendency toward acetabular retroversion in OA patients, leading to altered hip joint mechanics. Gender differences were observed, with males displaying greater femoral head coverage than females, which may contribute to the higher prevalence of OA among Egyptian males. Anatomical factors of the acetabulum play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hip OA. Variations in acetabular coverage, inclination, and anteversion may influence disease development and account for differences in prevalence across populations. These findings highlight the importance of CT-based anatomical assessment for early intervention in high-risk populations.