Grant: Collaborative Health Research Projects (NSERC partnered)

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip is the main reason that total hip arthroplasty is required. In the past decade, a growing body of literature suggests that up to 80% of adult idiopathic hip OA cases are caused by a condition known as femoracetabular impingement (FAI). FAI occurs as a result of abnormalities in the femoral head and/or acetabulum. These problems lead to significant articular damage. An experienced surgeon determines the location and the amount of bone that requires cutting in order to remodel the bone shape to remove the impingement. If too much bone is removed the hip may be weakened resulting in a possible bone fracture. Conversely if too little bone is removed, the surgery may be unsuccessful and further surgery may be required. The development of computer assisted guidance software is required to help clinicians to perform the process in a more precise manner. We propose to (i) make technical enhancements (in image processing, computer visualization, 3D reconstruction, and statistical analysis) and (ii) build basic components that will be used for a computer-assisted system to help diagnosis, pre-operative planning, and visualization. In the future, through the development of these improved diagnostic tools, as well as surgical planning/guidance software, clinicians will be better suited to treat this deformity in a more precise manner as well as in a less invasive way facilitating and optimizing patient recovery and function; this will lead to the overall improved wellbeing of patients, less stress on the system due to repeated surgery, and a lower cost to the Canadian healthcare system. This research brings together a team of nationally and internationally recognized researchers and clinicians, and will place Canada at a strategic position in this critical area of research.