Use of a deep polyethylene liner for the treatment of recurrent dislocation

Modular component exchange is one of several viable options for treating instability after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recently, we reported that polyethylene liners retrieved from stable THAs had significantly deeper cup articular geometry than liners retrieved from dislocated THAs. Modular liner exchange with implantation of a deeper cup articulation for the treatment of THA instability may be an option in certain cases. We describe the use of modular liner exchange with implantation of a custom polyethylene liner with a deepened articular geometry for surgical treatment of recurrent dislocation after primary THA in a 70 year old patient. The patient did not feel unstable and no symptoms of subluxation or dislocation have been experienced in the 3 years of follow-up subsequent to treatment. Surgeons should consider the articular geometry of the polyethylene liner as an important design parameter, and we recommend that deeper polyethylene liners be considered for treatment of recurrent dislocation after primary THA.