Prosthesis displacement as a complication of reduction of a dislocated total hip arthroplasty

Acute displacement at the cement-prosthesis interface of the femoral component of a hip arthroplasty that occurred as a consequence of attempted reduction of a dislocation is described. Although this complication is theoretically possible with a polished tapered stem design, it is previously unrecognized, and may be avoidable if fluoroscopic control is used during closed reduction of a dislocation.