The diagnosis of hip dysplasia, the prognosis, the evaluation of different methods of treatment is based mainly on X-rays of the hip joint. One of the most frequently applied anatomic measure for the objective evaluation of hip dysplasia and description in everyday orthopaedic care is the acetabular index.
The acetabular index (AI) or Acetabular roof angle or Acetabular angle (AC) is the angle formed from a horizontal line (Hilgenreiner) through right and left triradiate cartilage of the acetabulum of the hip and a line drawn from the corner of the triangular cartilage and the lateral acetabular margin.
The AI decrease gradually by increasing the age, and is different between right or left hip and different between boys and girls. The measurement of AI is not valid index for acetabular dysplasia over 8 years of age.
Measurements of AI in X-rays is important during the decision-making process for conservative or operative treatment, and follow up particular, in Developmental Dysplasia of the hip, or planning correction-osteotomies.
Measuring angles in X-rays in clinical settings it is time consuming. Accessory instruments like protractors, goniometers, well sharped pencils, rulers or even transparent papers must be available in a busy everyday practice. Usually you miss or you never had one or another. Also after measurement you have to compare the data that you measure with the normal reference values according to patient age, side and sex and decide what could be considered normal in an X-ray of the hip and what is considered pathologic. This way is cumbersome and old fashioned.
Acetabular index app is medical software aimed for orthopaedic surgeons, providing tools that allow doctors to:
-Securely import medical images directly from the camera or stored photos
-Offers a very convenient way to determine the most accurate possibly lines in order to measure the angles. By the aid of a circular transparent template, the points of interest are marked accurately. The automatically formed lines, drawn between points, measure automatically the angles of interest. The results are printed in degrees. By inputting the age, sex and the side of the patient in the App, the measured angle is compared with values from normal reference database (see reference) according to age, site and gender. In case the measured angle is beyond the normal range for that age, side and gender, the hips are categorised as mildly dysplastic or severe dysplastic.
-Save the planned images, for later review or consultation.
The software is a class II medical device in the FDA. All information received from the software output must be clinically reviewed regarding its plausibility before patient treatment! AI App is indicated for assisting healthcare professionals. Clinical judgment and experience are required to properly use the software. The software is not for primary image interpretation.
The app is a handy tool for an orthopaedic surgeon, radiologist, medical student or resident who wants objectively to monitor and determine the severity of dysplasia of the hip. The build-in comparison feature with the normal reference values according to patient age, sex and side may help decide what could be considered normal or dysplastic. The app is not a simple goniometer, is an enhanced product which offers the ability to compare all the input data with medical reference database. The results are printed on the screen and the hips are categorised as normal or mildly dysplastic or severe dysplastic according to the AI angle measured respectively. This feature it is particular useful especially in clinical settings where you need a quick results without losing time in looking for reference data according to age variations in huge textbook.