A new approach for the Martell 3-D method of measuring polyethylene wear without requiring the cross-table lateral films

Accuracy and precision resulting from the use of two oblique projections (average accuracy ±63 μm, precision ±26 μm) were similar to that obtained using the conventional A/P and cross-table lateral views (accuracy ±54 μm, precision ±22 μm), though the results of the two oblique views were slightly more variable. These observations suggest that by using two oblique A/P projections, the major disadvantage of using the cross-table lateral films, namely the variable quality of the images, is avoided. Perhaps, therefore, the utility and availability of three-dimensional data in comparable clinical studies may be improved.