Experimental assessment of precision and accuracy of radio stereometric analysis for the determination of polyethylene wear in a total hip replacement model

The purpose of this study was to develop and testa phantom model based on actual total hip replacement (THR) components to simulate the true penetration of the femoral h cad resulting fro in polyethylene car, This Model was used to Study both the accuracy and the precision of radiostereometric analysis, RSA, in measuring wear. We also used this model to evaluate optimum tantalum bead configuration for this particular cup design when used in a clinical setting. A physical model of a total hip replacement (a phantom) was constructed which Could simulate progressive. three-dimensional (3-D) penetration of the femoral head into the polyethylene component of a THR. Using it coordinate Measuring machine (CMM) the positioning of the femoral head using the phantom was measured to be accurate to within 7 mum The accuracy and precision of an RSA analysis system was determined from five repeat examinations of the phantom using various experimental set-ups of the phantom. The accuracy of the radiostereometric analysis, in this optimal experimental set-up studied was 33 mum for the medial direction, 22 mum for the superior direction, 86 mum for the posterior direction and 55 mum for the resultant 3-D vector length. The corresponding precision at the 95% confidence interval of the test results for repositioning the phantom five times. measured 8.4 mum for the medial direction, 5.5 mum for the superior direction. 16.0 mum for the posterior direction. and 13 5 mum for the resultant 3-D vector length. This in vitro model is proposed as a useful tool for developing a standard for the evaluation of radiostereometric and other radiographic methods used to measure in vivo wear. (C) 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.