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. 2023 Apr 5;18(1):280.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03763-z.

Evaluation of lateral and anterior center-edge angles according to sex and anterior pelvic plane tilt angle: a three-dimensional quantitative analysis

Kee-Bum Hong  1 , Woo-Suk Lee  1 , Kyutae Kang  1 , Kyoung Tak Kang  2 , Byung Woo Cho  3
Affiliations

Evaluation of lateral and anterior center-edge angles according to sex and anterior pelvic plane tilt angle: a three-dimensional quantitative analysis

Kee-Bum Hong et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) and anterior center-edge angle (ACEA) according to sex and the anterior pelvic plane (APP) tilt angle and analyze the correlation between these measurements and acetabular coverage.

Methods: Computed tomography scans of 71 adults (38 men and 33 women) with normal hip joints were obtained. LCEA, anterior ACEA, and acetabular coverage were measured with APP tilt every 5° from - 30° to + 30° and were compared between the sexes. The correlation between acetabular coverage and LCEA/ACEA was also analyzed.

Results: (1) LCEA, ACEA, and acetabular coverage were statistically larger in men than in women at all APP tilt angles (with the exception of acetabular coverage ≥ 25°). (2) LCEA, ACEA, and acetabular coverage differed according to APP tilt angle. LCEA and acetabular coverage showed maximum values at 10°. ACEA showed a tendency to increase by an average of 3.6° for every 5° increase in the APP tilt angle. LCEA demonstrated strong and very strong associations across all APP tilting angles, whereas ACEA showed a moderate association at angles ≥ 15° in men and ≥ 30° in women.

Conclusions: The LCEA and ACEA are adequate measurement methods that reflect actual acetabular coverage unless the pelvis is tilted excessively anteriorly. While pelvic tilting does not need to be considered for LCEA within the physiologic range, it should always be taken into account for ACEA, as it increases by an average of 3.6° for every 5° increase in APP tilt angle.

Level of evidence: Level III: retrospective cohort study.

Keywords: Acetabular coverage; Anterior center-edge angle; Anterior pelvic plane tilt angle; Lateral center-edge angle; Sex differences.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A–D The figures show the measurements of A lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), B anterior center-edge angle (ACEA), C acetabular coverage, and D anterior pelvic plane (APP) tilting from − 30° to + 30°
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
A–C The figures show changes in acetabular measurements according to APP tilt angle. Results of A lateral center-edge angle (LCEA), B anterior center-edge angle (ACEA), and C acetabular coverage
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A and B Schematic composite showing changes of A lateral center-edge angle (LCEA) and B anterior center-edge angle (ACEA) according to anterior pelvic plane (APP) tilt angle
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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