The Consistency and Reliability of the Innominate Tubercle as a Potential Landmark in Anterior Hip Arthroplasty: Anatomical Insights and Surgical Implications
Abstract
Introduction: The innominate tubercle (IT), a bony prominence at the anterior inter-trochanteric line of the femur, plays a crucial role as a surgical and radiological landmark in orthopaedics. Despite its clinical importance in intertrochanteric fracture classification and femoral osteotomy during hip arthroplasty, limited literature exists on its detailed anatomy.
Materials and methods: This study investigated the morphometric and relational characteristics of the IT in 47 adult dry femora (25 right, 22 left). Measurements included IT dimensions, distances from the IT to proximal femoral landmarks, and their correlations with femoral parameters. Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression tests were utilised to find the relationship between these measurements.
Results: Revealed significant correlations between the IT length and width with key proximal femoral dimensions such as femoral head diameter, neck length, and femoral axis length. The IT height, however, showed no notable associations. The intersection of the anatomical axis of femur and the line in between the centre of head (COH) to the lateral-most point of vastus lateralis (VL) ridge was most consistent landmark for topographic localisation of the IT.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the IT’s anatomical consistency and reliability as a surgical landmark, particularly in the direct anterior approach to hip arthroplasty. Our study highlights the need for broader, population-specific research to enhance localisation and clinical applications of the IT.
Abstract | Reference
