Do Spanish surgeons trust hip stabilizing devices to prevent prosthetic dislocation?

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Practice Research

Background:

• Total hip arthroplasty (THA) dislocation is a common complication and a leading cause of revision surgery.
• While conservative treatment is often accepted after a first dislocation episode, standardized preventative measures are lacking.
• The study investigates the clinical practice and preferences for hip-stabilizing devices among Spanish hip surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current clinical practice and surgeon reliance on hip-stabilizing devices post-total hip arthroplasty (THA) dislocation.
• To identify any existing consensus or variability in the use of anti-dislocation devices among Spanish hip surgeons.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to eighty-three hip surgeons in Spain.
• Participants reported on THA surgical volume, dislocation incidence, and the use of orthopaedic immobilisation devices after dislocation.
• Data collected focused on the type, duration, and perceived effectiveness of immobilization strategies.

Main Results:

• A significant portion (42%) of surgeons did not use any immobilization after a dislocation episode.
• Variability was observed in the duration of immobilization (ranging from <2 to >6 weeks) and the types of devices used.
• A notable finding was that 33% of surgeons who deemed orthoses ineffective still continued their use in practice, indicating no consensus.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear lack of consensus among Spanish hip surgeons regarding the use of hip-stabilizing devices.
• The utilization of orthopaedic devices for post-THA dislocation is highly heterogeneous and dependent on individual surgeons and their respective centers.