Dislocated Thompson hemiarthroplasty--the management of the recurrent dislocator

Dislocation of a Thompson hemiarthroplasty of the hip is a serious complication with a high mortality rate. Previous papers have focused on surgical techniques to try and prevent dislocation. There is little in the literature on how to manage a patient after a dislocation. Patients with a dislocated Thompson hemiarthroplasty over a 5-year period from 1997 to March 2002 were analysed. Attempts were made to identify factors which may contribute to redislocation. Our strategies for preventing redislocation were evaluated. Of the 612 patients who received a Thompson hemiarthroplasty 23 patients (4%) dislocated. The average number of dislocations per patient was 2.4. Thirteen patients (57%) redislocated their prosthesis. Ten patients (43%) dislocated at least twice. Seven patients (30%) had either a total hip replacement, Girdlestone's procedure or the hip was left dislocated. Out of 15 patients fitted with an abduction brace 8 (60%) redislocated. Out of 8 patients treated with traction 6 (75%) redislocated. The 6-month mortality for patients suffering a dislocation was 7/23 (30%). If the prosthesis dislocates twice, the hip should be deemed unstable and consideration should be given to a revision procedure. Abduction braces and traction are ineffective in this condition and should be abandoned.     

Total hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty in mobile, independent patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck: a seven- to ten-year follow-up report of a prospective randomised controlled trial

We reviewed the seven- to ten-year results of our previously reported prospective randomised controlled trial comparing total hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck. Of our original study group of 81 patients, 47 were still alive. After a mean follow up of nine years (7 to 10) overall mortality was 32.5% and 51.2% after total hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty, respectively (p = 0.09). At 100 months postoperatively a significantly greater proportion of hemiarthroplasty patients had died (p = 0.026). Three hips dislocated following total hip replacement and none after hemiarthroplasty. In both the total hip replacement and hemiarthroplasty groups a deterioration had occurred in walking distance (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). One total hip replacement required revision compared with four hemiarthroplasties which were revised to total hip replacements. All surviving patients with a total hip replacement demonstrated wear of the cemented polyethylene component and all hemiarthroplasties had produced acetabular erosion. There was lower mortality (p = 0.013) and a trend towards superior function in patients with a total hip replacement in the medium term.     

Late dislocation after total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Some patients have a dislocation for the first time many years after a total hip arthroplasty, but little is known about the risk factors and outcomes associated with late dislocation. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of late dislocation after total hip arthroplasty, (2) to characterize demographic and other factors associated with such late dislocations, and (3) to report the outcomes of such late dislocations. METHODS: Between 1969 and 1995, 19,680 primary total hip arthroplasties were performed in 15,964 patients at our institution. According to a prospective surveillance protocol, the patients were followed routinely at regular intervals and were specifically queried at each time-point about whether (and, if so, when) the hip had dislocated. First dislocations that occurred five years or more after the operation were defined as late dislocations. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirteen (2.6%) of the 19,680 hips dislocated. Of the 513 hips, 165 (0.8% of the entire cohort; 32% of the dislocated hips) first dislocated five or more years after the primary arthroplasty. The median time until the occurrence of these late dislocations was 11.3 years (range, five to 24.9 years) after the operation. Late dislocation was more frequent than early dislocation in women (p = 0.03), and late dislocation was associated with a younger age at the time of the primary total hip arthroplasty (median, sixty-three years) than was early dislocation (median, sixty-seven years) (p = 0.02). Clinical factors associated with late dislocation included previous subluxations without dislocation in twenty patients, a substantial episode of trauma in eleven patients, and onset of marked cognitive or motor neurologic impairment in eleven patients. Radiographically, the late dislocation occurred in association with polyethylene wear of >2 mm in eighteen hips, with implant loosening with migration or a change in position in eight, and with initial malposition of the acetabular implant (anteversion of <0 degrees or >30 degrees or abduction of >55 degrees) in thirty. Late dislocation recurred in ninety (55%) of the 165 hips and was treated with a reoperation in fifty-five hips (33% of the hips with late dislocation; 61% of the hips with recurrent dislocation). CONCLUSIONS: Late dislocation is more common than was previously thought. Several separate processes, some distinct from those associated with early dislocation, can lead to late dislocation. Late dislocation can occur in association with a long-standing problem with the prosthesis that manifests late (such as malposition of the implant or recurrent subluxation), it can occur in association with a new problem (such as neurologic decline, an episode of trauma, or polyethylene wear), or it can occur in association with any combination of these factors. The likelihood of the first late dislocation recurring is high.     

Constrained captive acetabular cup for recurrent dislocation of hemiarthroplasty in elderly: A case series

IntroductionHemiarthroplasty of the hip is one of the commonest procedures done for intracapsular fractures of the neck of femur in elderly. Dislocation of the hemiarthroplasty is a recognised and significant complication. This is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The treatment options include closed manipulation, skin and skeletal traction, conversion to total hip replacement, exploration and open reduction and leaving it out of the acetabulum.Presentation of caseA retrospective review of ten patients with recurrent and failed closed manipulative reduction of hemiarthroplasty who underwent revision using a cemented captive acetabular cup and cement to cement revision of femoral component with Exeter CDH stem was carried out. The follow up period was two years and the functional outcomes were assessed using Harris hip scores.DiscussionThe management of recurrent dislocations of hemiarthroplasty in elderly patient are very challenging. Even though various treatment options are described most of them are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and prevent these patients from early mobilisation. The use of captive acetabular avoid repeated dislocations, prolonged bed rest, wearing of a brace and all the complications associated with sustained immobilization. The drawbacks of using constrained cups are hip pain, limited hip movements and loosening.ConclusionWe describe a new method of treatment of this difficult condition with a cemented constrained acetabular captive cup and cement to cement revision using a CDH femoral stem. This method prevents further dislocations and will give good functional outcomes thus reducing the high morbidity and mortality.     

The natural history of a posteriorly dislocated total hip replacement

A retrospective review was conducted to delineate the natural history of the posteriorly dislocated total hip replacement. A total of 1,036 consecutive total hip replacements were performed between 1989 and 1992. Forty (3.9%) were known to have dislocated posteriorly. Twenty-four of these dislocations occurred after primary replacements, and 16 occurred after revision. Eighty-five percent of the dislocations occurred within 2 months and were reduced closed. No statistical differences were noted between these 2 groups with respect to height, weight, sex, age, and femoral and acetabular anteversion. Nonunion of the greater trochanter, modular femoral neck length, and operative approach appeared to affect hip stability. Twenty-three of the 40 dislocated hips (57.5%) redislocated. Sixteen of the 40 hips (40%) required reoperation for recurrent dislocation. Thirteen of the 16 revisions (81.3%) were successful. A dislocated total hip replacement that has been rendered stable does not preclude one from having a successful total hip replacement, and it does not appear to affect survivorship at intermediate follow-up.     

Salvage of a recurrently dislocating total hip prosthesis with use of a constrained acetabular component. A concise follow-up of a previous report

We previously reported the results at a mean of five years following the use of a tripolar constrained acetabular component to treat recurrently dislocating total hip prostheses. In this study, we report the results after longer follow-up, with emphasis on the prevalence of implant loosening, osteolysis, and later recurrent instability. Fifty-five patients treated with a total of fifty-six constrained acetabular components because of recurrent dislocations of a total hip prosthesis (average, six dislocations; range, two to twenty dislocations) were followed for an average of 10.2 years (range, 7.0 to 13.2 years) or until death. Four (7%) of the fifty-six hips had a subsequent dislocation or failure of the device. Three femoral components (5%) and two acetabular components (4%) were revised because of aseptic loosening. One hip was revised because of osteolysis. We concluded that this constrained acetabular component provides durable protection against additional dislocations without substantial deleterious effects on component fixation. We use this device to treat recurrent dislocation when other modalities are unlikely to be effective.     

Dislocation after bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip

Although bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip is a frequently performed procedure, little information is available about the frequency of postoperative dislocation and its treatment. For this study, 1,934 hips treated consecutively with primary bipolar hemiarthroplasty were reviewed. A postoperative dislocation developed in 29 patients (1.5%): during the first month after surgery in 24 patients and between 1 month and 5 years after surgery in 5 patients. Of the 29 dislocations, 25 were successfully reduced with routine closed methods. Among these 25 hips, 13 (52%) subsequently redislocated, and 7 of these required operative treatment for the recurrent dislocation. Dislocation after primary bipolar hemiarthroplasty is infrequent, can usually be reduced by routine closed methods, but is associated with ahigh rate of recurrent dislocation.     

Trochanteric advancement for recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty

Twenty-one patients had trochanteric advancement after experiencing an average of 3.9 dislocations in a mean period of 46 weeks following total hip arthroplasty. Before trochanteric advancement was performed, component malposition and mechanical impingement were excluded as causes of dislocation. Radiographic measurements revealed that the trochanter was advanced an average of 16 +/- 7.7 mm (1 SD). Four patients, all with rheumatoid arthritis, had trochanteric migration greater than 1 cm. Seventeen of the 21 hips had no further dislocations following trochanteric advancement, with mean follow-up period of 2.7 years. Two patients dislocated because of extremes in hip position and had no further dislocations. Two patients dislocated who had trochanteric migration greater than 1 cm. Only one patients with a technically satisfactory trochanteric advancement continued to dislocate repeatedly. In patients without component malposition or obvious sources of impingement, trochanteric advancement is an effective and safe procedure for prevention of recurrent dislocations after total hip arthroplasty.     

Prevention and treatment of dislocation after total hip replacement using large diameter balls

The purpose of this study was to review safety and efficacy of total hip arthroplasty using large-diameter femoral heads in treatment and prevention of dislocation. One hundred forty hips in 135 patients were replaced using femoral heads at least 36 mm in diameter. The average age of the patients was 61.6 years. The patients were grouped into three categories depending on their diagnoses: recurrent dislocations from previous total hip replacements (Group 1; 29 hips); revision surgeries not including revisions for dislocations (Group 2; 54 hips); and primary surgeries (Group 3; 57 hips). The average followup was 5.5 years (range, 1-17 years). A total of 16 hips were revised: six for instability, four for fracture or disassociation of a conventional polyethylene liner, three for aseptic loosening of the socket, and three for sepsis. One hip from Group 1 dislocated at 12.5 years postoperatively, was treated with closed reduction, and since has been nonrecurring. UCLA hip scores all improved significantly. The prevalence of dislocation varied among the three groups, with 13.7% for Group 1, 1.8% for Group 2, and 3.5% for Group 3. The failure in the six cases that required revision for instability was attributable to poor socket orientation. All the hips became stable after revision without the use of a constrained acetabular liner. Large-diameter femoral heads provide additional stability not only for patients with recurrent dislocations, but also for patients having revision. The new, more wear-resistant bearings now enable the surgeon to extend the use of big femoral heads to primary total hip arthroplasty. Metal-on-metal seems to be the material of choice for a bone-conserving reconstruction with large femoral heads.     

The double-mobility acetabular component in revision total hip replacement: the United Kingdom experience

We present our experience with a double-mobility acetabular component in 155 consecutive revision total hip replacements in 149 patients undertaken between 2005 and 2009, with particular emphasis on the incidence of further dislocation. The mean age of the patients was 77 years (42 to 89) with 59 males and 90 females. In all, five patients died and seven were lost to follow-up. Indications for revision were aseptic loosening in 113 hips, recurrent instability in 29, peri-prosthetic fracture in 11 and sepsis in two. The mean follow-up was 42 months (18 to 68). Three hips (2%) in three patients dislocated within six weeks of surgery; one of these dislocated again after one year. All three were managed successfully with closed reduction. Two of the three dislocations occurred in patients who had undergone revision for recurrent dislocation. All three were found at revision to have abductor deficiency. There were no dislocations in those revised for either aseptic loosening or sepsis. These results demonstrate a good mid-term outcome for this component. In the 29?patients revised for instability, only two had a further dislocation, both of which were managed by closed reduction.     

Dislocation following total hip replacement: the Avon Orthopaedic Centre experience

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and outcome of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty at our unit.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 1727 primary total joint arthroplasties and 305 revision total hip arthroplasties were performed between 1993 and 1996 at our unit. We followed up 1567 (91%) of the primary hip arthroplasties and 284 (93%) of the revision hip arthroplasties at 8–11 years after surgery. Patients were traced by postal questionnaire, telephone interview or examination of case notes of the deceased.

RESULTS

The dislocation rates by approach were 23 out of 555 (4.1%) for the posterior approach, 0 out of 120 (0%) for the Omega approach and 30 out of 892 (3.4%) for the modified Hardinge approach. Of dislocations after primary total hip arthroplasty, 58.5% were recurrent. The mean number of dislocations per patient was 2.81. Overall, 8.1% of revision total hip arthroplasties dislocated. 70% of these became recurrent. The mean number of dislocations per patient was 2.87. The vast majority of dislocations occurred within 2 months of surgery.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the largest multisurgeon audit of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty published in the UK. The follow-up of 8–11 years is longer than most comparable studies. The results of this study can be used to inform patients as to the risk and outcome of dislocation, as well as to the risk of further dislocation.     

The early dislocation rate in primary total hip arthroplasty following the posterior approach with posterior soft-tissue repair

Although a posterior approach is frequently used for total hip arthroplasties (THAs), some reports have associated this approach with higher dislocation rates than anterior or lateral approaches. To deter dislocations following primary THAs using the posterior approach, the senior author repairs the posterior capsule and the short external rotators to the greater trochanter with nonabsorbable suture. We retrospectively reviewed the occurrence of dislocations among 945 primary THAs performed with this technique at a mean 6.4-year follow-up (range, 2.0-9.3 years). The average patient age was 62.3 years (range, 36-86 years). Eight patients (0.85%) dislocated. Of these, 3 dislocated within the first postoperative year and were treated without surgery; 3 required revision surgery and placement of a constrained liner; and 2 dislocated after trauma and were treated without surgery. With the correct orientation of components and an enhanced soft-tissue repair, the posterior surgical approach can result in an extremely low dislocation rate.     

Transient subluxation of the femoral head after total hip replacement

Dislocation is a common and well-studied complication after total hip replacement. However, subluxation, which we define as a clinically recognised episode of incomplete movement of the femoral head outside the acetabulum with spontaneous reduction, has not been studied previously. Out of a total of 2521 hip replacements performed over 12 years by one surgeon, 30 patients experienced subluxations which occurred in 31 arthroplasties. Data were collected prospectively with a minimum follow-up of two years. Subluxation occurred significantly more frequently after revision than after primary hip replacement, and resolved in 19 of 31 cases (61.3%). In six of the 31 hips (19.4%) the patient subsequently dislocated the affected hip, and in six hips (19.4%) intermittent subluxation continued. Four patients had a revision operation for instability, three for recurrent dislocation and one for recurrent subluxation. Clinical and radiological comparisons with a matched group of stable total hips showed no correlation with demographic or radiological parameters. Patients with subluxing hips reported significantly more concern that their hip would dislocate, more often changed their behaviour to prevent instability and had lower postoperative Harris hip scores than patients with stable replacements.     

Is there a higher risk of dislocation of hip hemiarthroplasty in patients with neuromuscular conditions? A clinical study of 3827 patients

Aim of the studyThe aim of this study is to identify if there is any association between neuromuscular disorders and prosthetic dislocation in patients treated with hip hemiarthroplasty for neck of femur fractures.Patients and methodsOur study is a retrospective analysis of data collected over 34 years for patients with intracapsular neck of femur fracture who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty. Pathological fractures and patients treated with other treatment modalities were excluded. The study population is composed of four groups; patients with no neuromuscular disorders, patients with Parkinson's disease, patients with previous stroke, and patients with mental impairment.ResultsA total of 3827 patients were treated with hip hemiarthroplasty. For the 3371 patients with no neuromuscular condition (Group I) the dislocation rate was 1.1%. 219 patients had Parkinsonism (Group II) with a dislocation rate of 3.2%, 104 patients had a previous stroke with weakness on the fracture side with a dislocation rate of 1.0% (Group III), and 984 patients had severe mental impairment with a dislocation rate of 1.8% (Group IV). The increased dislocation rate for those with Parkinson's disease was statistically significant (p = 0.02) while none of the other neuromuscular conditions were statistically significant.ConclusionOur study demonstrates an increased risk of dislocation after hemiarthroplasty for patients with Parkinson's disease in comparison to other groups. No increase was apparent for those with mental impairment or weakness from a previous stroke.     

Jumbo femoral head for the treatment of recurrent dislocation following total hip replacement

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the results of the use of a jumbo femoral head to restore stability in hips that had sustained recurrent dislocations after total hip replacement. METHODS: Twelve hips in twelve patients who had had multiple hip operations and recurrent instability of the hip underwent a total hip replacement with use of a femoral head with an average diameter of 44 mm (range, 40 to 50 mm). The average age of the patients was fifty-nine years (range, twenty-nine to eighty-four years). The twelve patients had had an average of four previous operations (range, one to eight operations) and seven dislocations (range, two to twenty dislocations). A bipolar head was used in ten hips that had a femoral stem with a fixed (non-modular) head, and a modular head (unipolar) was used in two hips. (One hip was first treated with a bipolar head and then with a unipolar head.) RESULTS: One patient died of unrelated causes fourteen months postoperatively. The hip had remained stable until the time of death. After an average duration of follow-up of 6.5 years (range, 3.2 to 11.8 years), ten of the remaining eleven hips had had no additional episodes of instability. One hip dislocated within one week after the revision, necessitating revision surgery to reposition the acetabular component. This hip was found to be stable at the time of follow-up 7.6 years after the revision. There were four other reoperations: one was done because of a fracture of the polyethylene; one, because of entrapment of cement within the articulation; one, because of pain related to loosening of the femoral stem; and one, because of late hematogenous infection. The preoperative and postoperative University of California at Los Angeles hip scores for the series were, respectively, 7 and 9 points for pain, 5 and 7 points for walking, 4 and 6 points for function, and 3 and 5 points for activity. CONCLUSIONS: A jumbo-diameter femoral head provided stability and improved function without compromising range of motion in patients with recurrent dislocations following total hip arthroplasty.     

Prognosis of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty

One hundred sixty-one dislocations after cemented total hip arthroplasty, with a mean follow-up period of 8 years after dislocation, were reviewed with the aim of establishing the prognosis. There were 84% single and 16% recurrent dislocations. Closed reduction was successful in 81% of cases. Thirty-seven percent of dislocations were early (within 5 weeks), 36% occurred in patients who had had previous surgery, and in 47% there was nonunion of the trochanter. There was a two-way interaction between these factors, and all factors were significant for recurrent dislocation. Twenty-six (16%) recurrent dislocations required surgery. The most common causes of recurrent dislocation demonstrated at operation were component malposition (58%) and failure of the abductor mechanism (42%). In total, 96% of cases were successfully treated.     

Prevention of dislocation after hip arthroplasty: lessons from long-term followup.

Regarding dislocation after total hip arthroplasty, prevention is worth an ounce of cure. The current authors evaluated dislocation after total hip arthroplasty during the 26-year practice of one surgeon to identify potential variables that can contribute to the prevention of dislocation. Between 1970 and 1996, dislocation after total hip replacement occurred after 7.2% of primary hip arthroplasty procedures (298 of 4164 primary hip replacements) and 11.2% of revision hip arthroplasty procedures (90 of 803 revision hip replacements). Significant findings included an increase in dislocation when 22-mm modular femoral heads were used and a decrease in dislocation after revision for dislocation when constrained liners were used. An additional finding was that 26% of first time dislocations occurred more than 2 years after surgery. Concerning prevention of dislocation, small head modular femoral components should be used cautiously, and constrained liners should be considered in complex revision cases. Patients should be counseled concerning the potential for dislocation many years after their arthroplasty.     

Dislocation after total hip arthroplasty

Hip dislocation has long been one of the major complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA). From 1980 to 1994, we performed 2728 THAs (including primary and revision cases). There were 97 hips (3. 6%) with the complication of dislocation, 62 of which were followed up for at least 2 years (mean 5.3 years; range 2-12 years). Single dislocations occurred in 40% and recurrent dislocations in 60%. More than half of the dislocations (58%) occurred within 3 months after the index operation. The dislocation rate was not related to sex, age, previous revision surgery, or types of prosthesis, but was related to a smaller size of the femoral head. The rate of recurrent dislocation was not related to a history of previous surgery, but was related to a smaller femoral head, late onset of dislocation (> 3 months), soft-tissue imbalance, and cup malposition in both anteversion and inclination. If the size of the femoral head was 26 mm or smaller, a posterior approach was not recommended. Closed reduction followed by 1-2 weeks of skin traction was the treatment of choice. The success rate for the first attempt at closed reduction for the treatment of dislocation was 41%; the success rate decreased gradually with the number of attempts. For the recurrent dislocation group, bracing for 4-6 weeks with training was recommended for the postural type and bracing for 3 months with muscle training for the soft-tissue imbalance type. Only 15% of the dislocated hips needed re-operation, and most of the patients resolved the problem after being informed and undergoing muscle training.     

Comparison of Dislocation and Outcome Between Piriformis-Sparing and Conventional Posterior Approach After Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture in Patients Over 60 Years

BackgroundHemiarthroplasty is a treatment option for femoral neck fractures in patients aged more than 60 years and postoperative dislocation after a posterior approach is not uncommon. The piriformis tendon is one of the structures providing posterior hip stability. However, evidence of piriformis-sparing approach in hemiarthroplasty is unclear regarding a reduced dislocation rate.MethodsBetween January 2017 and December 2019, 321 patients underwent a posterior approach in consecutive cohorts for a hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures with the minimum 24 months follow-up time (24-60 months). There were two cohorts: (1) 129 underwent the conventional posterior (CP) approach and (2) 192 underwent the piriformis-sparing (PS) approach. The differences in dislocation rate, postoperative Harris Hip Society at 1 and 2 years and other surgical complications were compared in both groups.ResultsThere were 6 dislocations of 129 (4.7%) underwent the CP approach and 0 dislocation from 192 underwent the PS approach that had posterior hip dislocations (P = .004). In addition, the CP group had a significantly higher mortality rate (14.7% versus 7.3%, P = .031) and lower functional outcomes as assessed by mean Harris Hip Scores at 1 year (73 versus 78, P = .005) and 2 years postoperatively (73 versus 80, P < .001) relative to the PS group.ConclusionPS hemiarthroplasty was associated with a lower dislocation and mortality rate. Moreover, this approach gained a superior early to the mid-term functional outcome than the conventional posterior approach in elderly femoral neck fractures.Level of EvidenceII, prospective cohort study.     

A comparison of hemiarthroplasty with total hip replacement for displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck: a randomised controlled multicentre trial in patients aged 70 years and over

The aim of this study was to analyse the functional outcome after a displaced intracapsular fracture of the femoral neck in active patients aged over 70 years without osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the hip, randomised to receive either a hemiarthroplasty or a total hip replacement (THR). We studied 252 patients of whom 47 (19%) were men, with a mean age of 81.1 years (70.2 to 95.6). They were randomly allocated to be treated with either a cemented hemiarthroplasty (137 patients) or cemented THR (115 patients). At one- and five-year follow-up no differences were observed in the modified Harris hip score, revision rate of the prosthesis, local and general complications, or mortality. The intra-operative blood loss was lower in the hemiarthroplasty group (7% > 500 ml), THR group (26% > 500 ml) and the duration of surgery was longer in the THR group (28% > 1.5 hours versus 12% > 1.5 hours). There were no dislocations of any bipolar hemiarthroplasty than in the eight dislocations of a THR during follow-up. Because of a higher intra-operative blood loss (p < 0.001), an increased duration of the operation (p < 0.001) and a higher number of early and late dislocations (p = 0.002), we do not recommend THR as the treatment of choice in patients aged ≥ 70 years with a fracture of the femoral neck in the absence of advanced radiological osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the hip.