Ultimate outcome in immediate postoperative total hip arthroplasty instability.

The objective of this study was to determine the ultimate outcome of patients who experienced immediate postoperative instability after primary total hip arthroplasty using regional anesthesia. Thirty-one patients whose radiographs demonstrated dislocation or subluxation immediately after total hip arthroplasty were evaluated as to the ultimate outcome of hip function and stability. Once a dislocation has occurred, the risk of redislocation is high. In this study, of the 29 patients who did not have revisions immediately after surgery, 3 (10.3%) have had recurrent dislocation and 1 (3.5%) has had a subluxation event. Recurrent instability or the need for revision surgery is significantly greater when compared with those patients who have no evidence of postoperative instability.