Intraoperative digital radiography: Paradigm shift in standard of care

Despite our best efforts, orthopaedic surgeons do not always achieve desired results in acetabular cup positioning in total hip arthroplasty. New advancements in digital radiography and image analysis software allow contemporaneous assessment of cup position in real time during the surgical procedure. Changes in pelvic tilt are accounted for based on a preoperative reference radiograph that is aligned with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. Digital radiography enables a technological and ideological paradigm shift in total hip arthroplasty based on a reliable, cost-effective, user-friendly, and familiar technology, putting the outcome directly in the hands of the surgeon.