Computer-assisted Simulation of Femoro-acetabular impingement surgery

Abstract

In the past decade, sophisticated computer-assisted methods and simulations have been successfully introduced for various applications and questions in orthopaedic surgery [1]. Computerized imaging and visualization tools guarantee more accurate measurements which lead to more profound knowledge and to a better understanding of orthopaedic pathologies. They allow more accurately performed surgical interventions and differentiated, standardized evaluation of postoperative surgical outcome [2]. Moreover, virtual preoperative simulations were proven to simplify surgical planning procedures of orthopaedic operations. Within the same time frame, femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) has been detected as a novel major precursor of idiopathic 'primary' osteoarthritis in hip joints affecting predominantly young and active adults [3, 4]. Due to the simple mechanical collision concept of rigid bodies and newly posed questions for this new pathological entity and its treatment, FAI offers an ideal platform for application of computer-assisted methods. We describe a possible application of computer aided simulation for different unsolved clinically relevant questions in assessment and surgical treatment of this new entity. © 2007 Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg.