J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1999 Dec;34(6):1129-1134.

Dislocation After Total Hip Arthroplasty

• Choi IS
• Roh SI
• Kang JG
• Ha HJ
• Kim DY

Abstract

PURPOSE
Despite many recent advances in total hip arthroplasty, dislocation remains a common postoperative complication. This study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and causes of dislocation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We experienced 16 hip dislocations in 217 cases of total hip arthroplasty performed between June 1990 and March 1999. We analyzed the incidence and causes of dislocation retrospectively. We classified the factors of dislocation as component malposition, Soft tissue imbalance and patient factor. Radiographic measurements were performed to evaluate component malposition and soft tissue imbalance. To evaluate patient factor, we analyzed the patient's past history and posture when the dislocation occurred.
RESULTS
The leading causes of hip joint dislocation after total hip arthroplasty are acetabular component malposition (9 cases), followed by patient factor (5 cases) and soft tissue imbalance (3 cases). It took an average of 40.5 days following surgery for hip joint dislocation to occur with 13 out of 16 cases (90.2%) developing hip dislocation within 2 months.
CONCLUSION
In order to prevent acetabular component malposition, careful insertion of acetabular component is required. Preventive measure and care should be taken during the early postoperative period. Those presenting with improper anteversion, accurate analysis of the extent of acetabular and femoral component anteversion based on CT scanning is helpful.

Keyword

Hip; Dislocation; Total hip arthroplasty

MeSH Terms

Acetabulum
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip*
Dislocations*
Hip
Hip Dislocation
Hip Joint
Humans
Incidence
Postoperative Complications
Postoperative Period
Posture
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed