In total hip surgery, few topics spark as much debate as hip stability in total hip replacements (THR).
Recently, I met David Kirwan, a brilliant orthopedic surgeon, that dives deep into the mechanics of hip function and the pitfalls of modern implants. Kirwan's insights challenge conventional thinking and highlight a critical factor often overlooked: anterior offset (AO). He presented the solution to the BoneChat members on episode #66 - David KIRWAN introduced a simple solution to total hip dislocation.
Drawing from his expertise, let's unpack this into a comprehensive exploration the total hip world. Whether you're a surgeon, resident, or industry professional, understanding AO could be the game-changer in reducing instability and revision rates.
The Fundamental Role of the Hip: Rotation Around the Center of Head (COH)
At its core, the hip joint serves two primary purposes beyond weight-bearing and centering the femur to the pelvis: it rotates around the Center of Head (COH). This rotational freedom is essential for everyday movements like flexion. However, things go awry when displacement enters the picture—and contrary to popular belief, true displacement doesn't occur unle...
