Sex-Specific Association of Clinical Parameters and Components of Femoral Bone Quality in Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty

Poor bone quality is a critical factor associated with an increased risk of complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, no consistent recommendations have yet been established for assessing indicators of bone quality preoperatively. Thus, it remains unclear which preoperatively available and readily accessible parameters are most closely associated with femoral bone quality. Here, we obtained femoral neck specimens from 50 patients undergoing THA. Preoperative Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, pelvic radiographs, and laboratory parameters were analyzed. In the obtained specimens, bone microstructure was assessed using micro-CT and histomorphometry. Additionally, matrix mineralization and osteocyte lacunar morphology were evaluated using quantitative backscattered electron imaging. Our analysis revealed that DXA-derived T-scores correlated with trabecular microstructure. Furthermore, radiographic indices and body mass index correlated differentially with aspects of bone quality in women and men. Contrary to previous observations, no correlation was found between serum vitamin D levels and osteoid indices, nor between clinical parameters and matrix mineralization. Age was strongly associated with the number of mineralized osteocyte lacunae, a factor that appeared to be independent of sex. Taken together, our study demonstrates that no single preoperatively available parameter exhibits a strong and consistent association with femoral bone quality. However, DXA remains a reliable preoperative measure for determining the trabecular microstructure of the femoral neck. In clinical practice, surgeons should adopt an individualized approach to preoperative assessments by considering age, sex, BMI, and radiographic indices to enhance their insight into femoral bone quality, particularly when DXA is unavailable.