Association of Hip Radiograph Findings With Pain and Function in Patients Presenting With Low Back Pain

The Amputated Limb Gluteus Medius is Biomechanically Disadvantaged in Patients with Unilateral Transfemoral Amputation

Patients with transfemoral amputation (TFA) are at an increased risk of secondary musculoskeleteal comorbidities, primarily due to asymmetric joint loading. Amputated limb muscle weakness is also prevalent in the TFA population, yet all factors that contribute to muscle strength and thus joint loading are not well understood. Our objective was to bilaterally compare gluteus medius (GMED) muscle factors (volume, fatty infiltration, moment arm) that all contribute to joint loading in patients with TFA. Quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) images of the hip were collected from eight participants with unilateral TFA (2M/6F; age: 47.3 ± 14.7 y/o; BMI: 25.4 ± 5.3 kg/m2; time since amputation: 20.6 ± 15.0 years) and used to calculate normalized GMED muscle volume and fatty infiltration. Six participants participated in an instrumented gait analysis session that collected whole-body kinematics during overground walking. Subject-specific musculoskeletal models were used to calculate bilateral GMED (anterior, middle, posterior) moment arms and frontal plane hip joint angles across three gait cycles. Differences in volume, fatty infiltration, hip adduction-abduction angle, and peak moment arms were compared between limbs using paired Cohen's d effect sizes. Volume was smaller by 36.3 ± 18.8% (d = 1.7) and fatty infiltration was greater by 6.4 ± 7.8% (d = 0.8) in the amputated limb GMED compared to the intact limb. The amputated limb GMED abduction moment arms were smaller compared to the intact limb for both overground walking (anterior: d = 0.9; middle: d = 0.1.2) and during normal range of motion (anterior: d = 0.8; middle: d = 0.8) while bilateral hip adduction-abduction angles were similar during overground walking (d = 0.5). These results indicate that in patients with TFA, the amputated limb GMED is biomechanically disadvantaged compared to the intact limb, which may contribute to the etiology of secondary comorbidities. This population might benefit from movement retraining to lengthen the amputated limb GMED abduction moment arm during gait.

Lack of correlation between hip osteoarthritis and anatomical spinopelvic parameters obtained in supine position on MRI

PURPOSE

Hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is known to have a multifactorial pathogenesis. Recent studies suggest that spinopelvic alignment may represent an important additional pathogenic abnormality resulting in HOA. This study aims to assess the correlation between spinopelvic parameters (pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS) and lumbar lordosis (LL)) obtained in the supine position on MRI and HOA, lateral center edge (LCE) angle, and patient reported back pain.

METHODS

Asymptomatic participants from the whole-body MRI cohort (FF4) from the cross-sectional case-control "Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg" study (KORA) were included. Whole-body MRI was performed in a standardized fashion in each case, on which hip osteoarthritis (HOA), anatomical spinopelvic parameters and lateral center edge angle were measured. Presence of back pain was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Correlations were estimated by logistic regression models providing odds ratio.

RESULTS

Among 340 subjects (mean age 56.3 ± 9.3 years; 56.5% male), HOA was present in 89.1% (male: 87.0%, female: 91.7%, p = 0.17). The LCE angle was 30.0° ± 5.5 (men: 29.8° ± 5.9; women: 30.1° ± 5.1; p = 0.696). Mean PI was 54.0° ± 11.3°, PT was 13.7° ± 5.9°, SS was 40.3° ± 8.8° (significantly smaller in women p<0.05) and LL was 36.4° ± 9.6° (significantly greater in women p<0.05). None of the spinopelvic parameters correlated significantly with hip osteoarthritis or LCE angle. HOA was not correlated with back pain.

CONCLUSION

Spinopelvic parameters as measured in the supine position on MRI, do not correlate with hip osteoarthritis or lateral center edge angle.

Functional outcomes are preserved in adult acetabular dysplasia with radiographic evidence of lumbosacral spine anomalies: an investigation in hip-spine syndrome

Purpose

Acetabular dysplasia (AD) is a debilitating condition which results in impaired hip function, leading to hip-spine syndrome with anomalies identifiable on plain radiographs. However, no study to date has investigated the association between radiographic spine anomalies and functional outcomes in AD. We hypothesize that AD patients with radiographic evidence of lumbar spine anomalies are associated with decreased function in comparison to those without such radiographic findings.

Patients and methods

One hundred thirty-five hips underwent a full four-view hip radiograph series, and two observers analyzed hip and spine variables using standard radiographs and obtained Castellvi grade, assessment of spondylolisthesis, and L4-S1 interpedicular distance. A comprehensive hip questionnaire was administered which included Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) to assess patient function. Correlations between HHS and HOOS and radiographic spinal measurements were calculated, and p-values were corrected for multiple comparison using the Holm’s method.

Results

Out of 135 patients, 119 were female (88.1%) and 16 were male (11.9%). Average age of presentation was 34.2 years, and average BMI was 26. There was no statistically significant correlation between Castellvi grade, presence of spondylolisthesis, or L4-S1 interpedicular distance and the patient-reported outcome measures HHS or HOOS. Conversely, a significant correlation was observed between Femoro-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index and HOOS of the contralateral hip (correlation coefficient = 0.38, adjusted p = 0.03) and Tönnis angle of AD severity and HHS of the contralateral hip (correlation coefficient = − 0.33, adjusted p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Severity of spinal anomalies measured by Castellvi grade and spondylolisthesis in patients with AD was not associated with decreased patient function in the ipsilateral diseased hip. To our knowledge, this is the first study to date to report the relationship between radiographically identifiable lumbosacral abnormalities and hip function in AD.

Multi-joint biomechanics during sloped walking in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip

BACKGROUND

Developmental dysplasia of the hip is characterized by abnormal acetabular and femoral geometries that alter joint loading and increase the risk of hip osteoarthritis. Current understanding of biomechanics in this population remains isolated to the hip and largely focused on level-ground walking, which may not capture the variable loading conditions that contribute to symptoms and intra-articular damage.

METHODS

Thirty young adult females (15 with dysplasia) underwent gait analysis during level, 10° incline, and 10° decline walking while whole-body kinematics, ground reaction forces, and electromyography (EMG) were recorded. Low back, hip, and knee joint kinematics and internal joint moments were calculated using a 15-segment model and integrated EMG was calculated within the functional phases of gait. Dependent variables (peak joint kinematics, moments, and integrated EMG) were compared across groups with a one-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons controlled for using the Benjamini-Hochberg method (α = 0.05).

FINDINGS

During level and incline walking, patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip had significantly lower trunk flexion angles, lumbar and knee extensor moments, and erector spinae activity than controls. Patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip also demonstrated reduced rectus femoris activity during loading of level walking and increased gluteus maximus activity during mid-stance of decline walking.

INTERPRETATION

Patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip adopt compensations both proximal and distal to the hip, which vary depending on the slope of walking. Furthering the understanding of multi-joint biomechanical compensations is important for understanding the mechanism of osteoarthritis development as well as secondary conditions.

Femoral Derotation Osteotomy Improves Hip and Spine Function in Patients With Increased or Decreased Femoral Torsion

PURPOSE

To evaluate the outcomes of proximal femoral derotation osteotomy (PFDO) on the hip and spine function of patients with abnormal femoral torsion.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who underwent PFDO to treat increased or decreased femoral torsion between July 2014 and February 2019. The exclusion criteria were: previous fracture, fixation of slipped capital femoral epiphysis or osteotomy in the ipsilateral femur; PFDO associated to varus or valgus osteotomy; Tönnis grade 2 or 3 osteoarthritis; and PFDO performed to treat knee abnormalities. Hip function was assessed through the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS). A subgroup of consecutive patients with low back pain before the PFDO and operated after 2017 had the spine function assessed through the Oswestry disability index (ODI).

RESULTS

A total of 37 hips (34 patients) were studied: 15 hips with increased femoral torsion and 22 with decreased femoral torsion. Eight patients were male and 26 were female. The average age at PFDO was 33 years (range, 15-54 years). At a mean follow-up of 24 months (range, 12-65 months), the mean mHHS improved from 58.1 ± 14.3 before PFDO to 82 ± 15.6 at the most recent follow-up (P < .001). Improvement in the mHHS above the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was observed in 33 hips (89%). In the subgroup of 14 consecutive patients with ODI available, the ODI improved from a mean of 45% ± 16% before the PFDO to 22% ± 17% at the most recent follow-up (P = .001). Nine (64.3%) of the 14 patients presented improvement in the ODI above the MCID. Revision procedure with a larger intramedullary nail was necessary in 2 hips to treat nonunion.

CONCLUSION

Proximal femoral derotation osteotomy improves the hip and spine function in patients with increased or decreased femoral torsion and nonarthritic hips.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae Predict Inferior Patient-Reported Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy

BACKGROUND

While the association between spinal disease and hip arthroplasty outcomes has been well studied, there is less known about the effect of spinal pathology in hip arthroscopy (HA) outcomes. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are anatomic variations where caudal vertebrae articulate or fuse with the sacrum or ilium.

HYPOTHESIS

LSTV can lead to inferior outcomes after HA for treatment of femoroacetabular impingement.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected Hip Arthroscopy Database at our institution for patients with LSTV who underwent HA between 2010 and 2017. A total of 62 patients with LSTV were identified and then matched to controls. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected, including the modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score-Sports, and the 33-item International Hip Outcome Tool. They were collected at 4 time points: preoperatively and 5 to 11 months, 12 to 23 months, and 24 to 35 months postoperatively. Longitudinal analysis of the PROMs was done using generalized estimating equation modeling. Additionally, alpha angles were measured from preoperative radiographic data.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, there was no significant difference between patients with and without LSTV on 3 of the 4 PROMs; however, patients with LSTV did have significantly lower preoperative scores than controls for the Hip Outcome Score-Activities of Daily Living (P = .029). Patients with LSTV reported significantly lower scores on all 4 PROMs at each postoperative time point. Radiographic data showed no significant difference in alpha angles across cohorts. When LSTV were compared by Castellvi type, types 3 and 4 tended to have lower scores than types 1 and 2; however, these comparisons were not significant.

CONCLUSION

The data support our hypothesis that HA has less benefit in patients with LSTV as compared with patients without LSTV. In patients with LSTV, careful evaluation of the anomaly is recommended to help guide surgical counseling and manage expectations.

Hip-spine syndrome: rationale for ischiofemoral impingement, femoroacetabular impingement and abnormal femoral torsion leading to low back pain

The term 'hip-spine syndrome' was introduced in recognition of the frequent occurrence of concomitant symptoms at the hip and lumbar spine. Limitations in hip range of motion can result in abnormal lumbopelvic mechanics. Ischiofemoral impingement, femoroacetabular impingement and abnormal femoral torsion are increasingly linked to abnormal hip and spinopelvic biomechanics. The purpose of this narrative review is to explain the mechanism by which these three abnormal hip pathologies contribute to increased low back pain in patients without hip osteoarthritis. This paper presents a thorough rationale of the anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of the aforementioned hip pathologies, and how each contributes to premature coupling and limited hip flexion/extension. The future of hip and spine conservative and surgical management requires the implementation of a global hip-spine-pelvis-core approach to improve patient function and satisfaction.

Links between the Hip and the Lumbar Spine (Hip Spine Syndrome) as they Relate to Clinical Decision Making for Patients with Lumbopelvic Pain

This narrative review focuses on the links between the hip and lumbar spine in the context of lumbopelvic pain. The literature regarding this topic is variable, found in many disciplines of care using different terminology. Collectively these inconsistencies add to the complexity of understanding the current evidence as it pertains to clinical practice. We have chosen to review studies that describe and assess overlapping pain distributions between the lumbar spine and hip, hip osteoarthritis and lumbopelvic pain, improvements in low back pain following hip arthroplasty, association of hip range of motion and lumbopelvic pain, and lumbopelvic motion and hip motion as they relate to low back pain and gender. The links between the hip and lumbar spine may provide the clinician important information to make decisions and recommendations for people presenting with the clinical symptom complex including lumbopelvic pain.

Co-diagnoses of spondylolysis and femoroacetabular impingement: a case series of adolescent athletes

Locating the source of lumbopelvic–hip pain requires the consideration of multiple clinical pathways. Although low back pain has an incidence of 50% in the adolescent population, the pathophysiology in this population typically differs from that of other age groups. Dynamic mechanical impairments of the hip, such as femoroacetabular impingement, may contribute to the pathogenesis of adolescent low back pain. Eight adolescent male athletes who presented to a single provider with a primary complaint of low back pain with hip pain or motion loss on exam and were ultimately diagnosed with lumbar spondylolysis and dynamic mechanical hip issues between 2009 and 2011 were included. The age at spondylolysis diagnosis ranged from 15 to 19 years (mean ± standard deviation: 16.3 ± 1.3 years). Seven patients had cam-type impingement, whereas one presented with pincer-type impingement. All patients demonstrated either decreased internal rotation at 90 degrees of hip flexion and neutral abduction or pain on the Flexion Adduction Internal Rotation test on at least one of hip. All eight patients were treated initially with 6 weeks of physical therapy consisting of attempted restoration of hip motion and the graduated progression of hip and spine stabilization exercises. Five patients (62.5%) returned to sport at an average of 11.2 weeks (range: 6–16 weeks). For three patients (37.5%), hip pain and motion loss persisted, thus requiring surgery. All subjects had symptoms for at least 6 weeks, with 6 months as the longest duration. This report is the first documented series of adolescent athletes with co-diagnoses of spondylolysis and femoroacetabular impingement.

Study Information: This retrospective case series was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Hospital for Special Surgery.