Prophylactic use of a hip cast-brace following primary and revision total hip arthroplasty

A hip cast-brace was routinely applied to 67 patients undergoing 37 revision and 30 primary total hip arthroplasties. In the revision group, 78% of the patients were discharged by the tenth postoperative day; the average period in the cast-brace was 23 days. One patient developed deep venous thrombosis. Dislocation occurred in three patients who had undergone previous revision total hip arthroplasties. Of these three patients, one dislocated while wearing the cast-brace. In the primary group, 72% of the patients were discharged by the eighth postoperative day and average time in the cast-brace was 15 days. One developed deep venous thrombosis; no dislocations occurred.