Prosthetic hip dislocation: a pilot multicentre observational study

Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most successful and cost-effective interventions for improving quality of life. Dislocation is a well-recognised complication with a significant health and economic burden. The aim of this study was to establish the current management practices for patients presenting with a prosthetic hip dislocation. This was measured through the primary outcome of definitive management, either in the form of revision surgery or the consideration for this through a referral pathway. The secondary outcome measured the number of dislocations per patient resulting in consideration for definitive management.

Between January and July 2019, 186 patients who sustained a prosthetic hip dislocation were identified from 13 separate institutions. Data were retrospectively collected including patient demographics, co-morbidities, details of the arthroplasty, number of dislocations, and management, both in the acute setting and after discharge.

149 patients who sustained 200 dislocations were included. The median (interquartile range) interval between primary total hip arthroplasty and first dislocation was 6 (0-13) years. An urgent reduction was achieved either in the emergency department or operating theatre in 3 (1.5%) and 188 (94%) cases, respectively, and 2 (1%) underwent urgent revision. Only 55 patients (36.9%) received definitive management, either in the form of revision surgery or consideration for this. The number of dislocations was the only independent predictor of definitive management (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 1.332; 95% confidence intervals 1.130-1.570).

There is a lack of consensus regarding the definitive management of patients with prosthetic hip dislocation. Our study highlights the need for a standardised pathway for the management of this complication. We aim to expand this study to a national level to propose a data-driven management algorithm for prosthetic hip dislocations.