Total hip arthroplasty using the Wroblewski golf ball cup inserted through the posterior approach

Use of a Constrained Acetabular Liner to Prevent and Treat Recurrent Dislocation after Total Hip Replacement Arthroplasty

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dislocation rate and the risk factors leading to instability after primary and revision total hip replacement arthroplasty (THRA) with constrained acetabular liners (CAL), as well as treatment strategies for prevention of dislocation. From 1999 to 2017, drawing on two institutions' THRA registries, we retrospectively identified 46 THRA cases using a CAL that had been followed up for a minimum of 4 years. The patients comprised 39 women and 7 men, with an average age of 69.1 years (age range, 41-98). Of the 46 patients, CAL were used in 12 patients for prevention of dislocation in primary THRA and in 34 patients for treatment of recurrent dislocation after primary THRA. Clinical and radiological evaluation were performed. We evaluated the failure rate of CAL as well as the risk factors. The 12 patients who used CAL for prevention of dislocation in primary THRA had no dislocation. However, 12 (35%) of the 34 hips had a dislocation after use of CAL in revision THRA. Patients with an abductor muscle weakness grade of ≤3 had a higher rate of dislocation than those with a grade of ≥4 (grade 1; likelihood ratio = ∞, grade 2; likelihood ratio = 1.83, grade 3; likelihood ratio = 1.05, grade 4; likelihood ratio = 0.46, and grade 5; likelihood ratio = 0). The group of primary THRA with CAL had no dislocations, and this is a proper way for prevention of dislocation in high-risk patients. The group of revision THRA with CAL had a high dislocation rate (35%). Abductor muscle weakness below grade 3 was a risk factor for failure of CAL for hip dislocation. We recommend treating patients with recurrent dislocations with the presence of abductor muscle weakness below grade 3 with not only THRA using CAL but also applying additional abductor muscle reconstruction to reduce the risk of dislocation.

A constrained acetabular component for recurrent dislocation

We treated 34 patients with recurrent dislocation of the hip with a constrained acetabular component. Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis was performed to assess migration of the prosthesis.

The mean clinical follow-up was 3.0 years (2.2 to 4.8) and the radiological follow-up was 2.7 years (2.0 to 4.8). At the latest review six patients had died and none was lost to follow-up. There were four acetabular revisions, three for aseptic loosening and one for deep infection. Another acetabular component was radiologically loose with progressive radiolucent lines in all Gruen zones and was awaiting revision. The overall rate of aseptic loosening was 11.8% (4 of 34). Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis in the non-revised components confirmed migration of up to 1.06 mm of translation and 2.32° of rotation at 24 months. There was one case of dislocation and dissociation of the component in the same patient. Of the 34 patients, 33 (97.1%) had no further episodes of dislocation.

The constrained acetabular component reported in our study was effective in all but one patient with instability of the hip, but the rate of aseptic loosening was higher than has been reported previously and requires further investigation.