Three‐dimensional hip joint congruity evaluation of the borderline dysplasia: Zonal‐acetabular radius of curvature

In theory, a hemispherical acetabulum provides the ideal hip congruity in any hip position. However, it remains unknown how the three‐dimensional acetabular morphology of borderline dysplastic and frank dysplastic hips compare to normal hips. This study inquires if borderline dysplastic zonal‐acetabular curvatures in the anterior, superior, and posterior zones are different from normal or dysplastic hips three‐dimensionally. One‐hundred and fifteen hips, grouped as control (25°≤ LCEA <40°), 36 hips; borderline (20°≤ LCEA <25°), 32 hips; dysplasia (LCEA ≤20°), 47 hips were analyzed. The radii of acetabular curvature for the anterior, superior, and posterior zones were calculated as the zonal‐acetabular radius of curvature (ZARC). The mean acetabular roof obliquity of the borderline (10.6 ± 4.3 [SD]°) was significantly larger than the control (3.0° ± 5.4°; P < .001) and smaller than the dysplasia (19.3° ± 5.7°; P < .001). Although the mean acetabular anteversion angle of the borderline (21.3° ± 3.7°) was significantly larger than control (17.9 ± 3.5°; P = .001), that of the borderline was not different from the dysplasia (23.3° ± 4.0°; P = .053). The mean anterior ZARC in the borderline (29.8 ± 2.6 mm) was significantly larger than the control (28.0 ± 2.2 mm; P = .011) and smaller than the dysplasia (31.5 ± 2.7 mm; P = .009). The mean superior ZARC in the borderline (25.7 ± 3.0 mm) was not different from the control (25.9 ± 2.2 mm; P = .934) or the dysplasia (25.8 ± 2.5 mm; P = .991). Although the mean posterior ZARC in the borderline (27.2 ± 2.5 mm) was not different from the control (26.4 ± 1.9 mm; P = .455), that of the borderline group was significantly smaller than the dysplasia (30.4 ± 3.3 mm; P < .001); that is, the severity of lateral under‐coverage affects the anterior and/or posterior zonal‐acetabular curvature.