The ‘critical trochanter angle’: a predictor for stem alignment in total hip arthroplasty

Offset restoration in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is crucial for the lever arm and function of the gluteal muscles. In proper preoperative planning, stem position is usually placed neutrally and parallel to the femoral shaft axis. In contrast, intraoperative stem malpositioning in the coronal plane may affect offset or leg length restoration and can hamper optimum load transfer between the implant and the natural bone [1]. Recently, it was described that coxa vara deformity which includes a low centrum collum diaphyseal (CCD) angle, a long neck and a trochanter overhang enhances the risk for intraoperative varus stem positioning [2]. In this retrospective study, the coronal position of two similar collarless straight stem designs with a narrow shoulder (Corail®, DePuy Synthes and Trendhip®, Aesculap) was analysed. A novel geometric angle named ‘critical trochanter angle’ (CTA) was identified as a predictor for stem alignment. This angle measures the extent of the trochanter overhang in relation to the femoral shaft axis and will be firstly described and analysed in this study in detail.

One hundred patients (male: n = 42, female: n = 58) with unilateral coxarthrosis (Kellgren and Lawrence ≥ 3) or osteonecrosis of the femoral head were retrospectively included in this study using a preoperative (up to 6 weeks before implantation) and a postoperative (1 week after THA) true anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiograph. Exclusion criteria were a previous proximal femoral fracture or fractures occurring intra- or postoperatively (i.e. trochanter tip fractures). Furthermore, patients with abnormal proximal femoral deformities and trochanter nearby ossifications or patients that were not x-rayed in a true AP pelvic view were excluded. All patients received a cementless total hip replacement via the direct anterior approach (DAA; n = 50) in the technique described by Bender et al. [3] or direct lateral Hardinge approach (LAT; n = 50). A collarless straight tapered hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated stem (Corail® or Trendhip®) was combinated with a cementless hemispheric cup (Pinnacle®, Depuy Synthes or Plasmafit®, Aesculap) and ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing. In preoperative AP pelvic radiographs, the following parameters were measured using the mediCAD® planning software (mediCAD Hectec GmbH, Altdorf, Germany): ipsilateral femoral offset, CCD angle and the critical trochanter angle (CTA). The angle crest of the CTA was defined by the intersection of the femoral shaft and neck axis. Then, the angle was measured between the femoral shaft axis and a leg intersecting the vertex between the lateral and superoposterior facet of the trochanter (Fig. 1). In postoperative radiographs, stem alignment was measured and grouped in varus (≥ + 1°), neutral (< + 1°/> − 1°) and valgus position (≤ − 1°). Therefore, an angle between the femoral shaft axis and the stem axis was drawn and measured. Finally, stem alignment was correlated to femoral offset, CCD angle and CTA.

Descriptive and statistical analysis was performed using IBM® SPSS® Statistics, version 25. Pearson’s coefficient was used for the correlation of stem alignment and metric data (femoral offset/CCD/CTA), and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was obtained to analyse the sensitivity and specificity of CTA cutoff values that result in stem malalignment equal to or greater than 2°. Finally, the independent samples t test was used to compare the two surgical approaches towards stem alignment and Pearson’s coefficients were compared using Fisher’s z-transformation.

We postulate that the CTA is correlated with stem alignment in THA when using the abovementioned stem.

Stem alignment in total hip arthroplasty is relevant not only for femoral offset restoration but also for permanent osseointegration of the implant [4]. Especially, varus stem alignment is frequently seen in coxa vara deformity and this relationship was recently described in the literature [2]. Implanting a straight tapered stem in varus alignment may result in poor clinical outcome. For example, it was shown that varus position can lead to femoral cortical hypertrophy and thigh pain [5] and it may negatively influence long-term survivorship [6]. In varus, a higher distal strain distribution compared to the neutral position seems to be the reason for those findings [1]. However, valgus stem alignment does not seem to be better than varus in terms of clinical outcome or long-term survival. A valgus position may enhance stress shielding at the proximal femur compared to varus [7] and is at higher risk to loose femoral offset compared to the preoperative status. A loss of femoral offset should be avoided as this shortens the lever arm and enhances the stress for the gluteal muscles. Therefore, Bjordal and Bjorgul suggest that the surgeon should aim for an equal or slightly increased lever arm [8]. The hydroxyapatite-coated straight tapered cementless stem which was analysed in this study is known to offer good primary stability and reliable osseointegration [9]. In a patient-specific finite element model, the Corail® stem is stable and robust to changes in position, even when undersized by up to two sizes [10]. Furthermore, long-term survivorship of the Corail® stem is more than satisfactory. Twelve years after implantation, a survival of 95% was described [11]. Others found 97% survival over 17 years [12]. However, the HA coating does not seem to be the reason for these good results. The Nordic Arthroplasty Register Association did not find a benefit of HA-coated cups or stems in terms of long-term survival [13, 14].

As described above, stem malalignment is a common finding in postoperative radiographs after THA. To better evaluate the preoperative risk for intraoperative malpositioning, we identified the critical trochanter angle that describes the trochanter overhang as a relative parameter and is independent from the intraindividual size of the hip. The rationale for this angle can be explained as follows: a low CTA describes a high trochanter overhang which inhibits lateral preparation towards the trochanter with the femoral rasp resulting in varus stem positioning. Vice versa, a high CTA describes a low trochanter overhang and can provoke an extended preparation towards the trochanter resulting in valgus stem alignment.

In the investigated cohort, a high incidence of varus stems could be observed (47%). We did not find a significant difference between both surgical approaches, and our results correspond to the findings of Batailler et al. who described a varus position in 40% when using the collared Corail® stem via the DAA [15]. This particular stem design might tend to malalignment, especially in coxa vara deformity [2]. The reason is not fully clear, but it was recently excluded that femoral neck resection height is associated with the final position of the Corail® stem [16]. However, the CTA was significantly correlated to the CCD and a significant negative correlation could be found to femoral offset. Therefore, the CTA is a parameter not only to evaluate the risk of stem malpositioning but also to describe hip deformity and it seems to be more sensitive and specific than the CCD.

Limitations of this study include a lack of clinical data such as the body mass index. These clinical parameters may have an effect on intraoperative preparation of the femur and subsequently on stem alignment. However, the sampling size was evaluated as high enough to reduce the effect of clinical confounder.

Finally, our hypothesis that stem alignment is associated with the CTA could be confirmed in this study. The CTA aims that surgeons pay preoperatively more attention on the trochanter overhang that may increase the risk for stem malalignment. The CTA is a useful angle to describe the trochanter overhang in comparison to the femoral shaft axis, and it is measured in degrees which makes it independent from the metric size of the hip.

The correlation of the CTA to the alignment of other stem designs as well as the intra- and interobserver reliability of this angle should be investigated in further prospective trials including analysis of clinical data.

Varus stem alignment is associated with coxa vara deformity in THA. In preoperative planning, the critical trochanter angle can help to evaluate the risk for intraoperative stem malpositioning in the coronal plane. In case of a low CTA, extended preparation of the methaphysis towards the lateral trochanteric region is necessary to avoid varus stem implantation. If navigation or robotic assistance is not available when using this particular stem design, we recommend an intraoperative x-ray to verify correct stem positioning in patients with a CTA under 20° or above 30°.