The Current Knowledge on Spinopelvic Mobility

Recent studies may suggest that our conventional knowledge of risk factors for dislocation may need rethinking. Previous studies have demonstrated a large majority of total hip arthroplasty instability with acetabular cups implanted in safe zones. Recently discovered spinopelvic motion is a coordinated biomechanical relationship among acetabular anteversion, pelvic tilt, and lumbar lordosis. Classification includes normal, hypermobile, stiff, stuck standing, stuck sitting, and fused. Normal spinopelvic motion from standing to sitting occurs with hip flexion, posterior sacral tilt, and decreased lumbar lordosis to accommodate a flexed femur and prevent impingement and dislocation. Acetabular cup implantation ideally is adapted based on spinopelvic interactions. This may lower the rate of impingement and subsequent dislocation. These new biomechanical interactions may provide a better understanding of the safe zones of anteversion and inclination.