Femur first surgical technique: a smart non-computer-based procedure to achieve the combined anteversion in primary total hip arthroplasty

The relevance of prosthetic component orientation to prevent dislocation and impingement following total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been widely accepted. We investigated the use of a non-computer-based surgery to address the reciprocal orientation of the acetabular and femoral components. In the femur first technique, the cup is positioned relative to the stem. When the definitive antetorsion of femoral component is fixed, the cup is positioned in a compliant anteversion to the stem. Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed before and 3 months after THA. Radiographic assessment was performed in standing position with the EOS 2D/3D radiography system. 3D images were used to preoperative anterior pelvic plane (APP) angle, postoperative acetabular inclination (AI) and anteversion (AA), and postoperative stem antetorsion. Clinical assessment was performed with Harris Hip Score (HHS). Forty patients (40 hips) underwent primary THA with an average age of 61 years (range, 36-84). Average HHS increased from 43 ± 5 (range, 37-52) preoperatively to 97 ± 6 (range, 86-100) at the last follow-up (P