The hip cast-brace for hip prosthesis instability.

The use of a hip cast-brace in the treatment of unstable hips following prosthetic replacement is described. A retrospective study of 21 patients with 22 hip prostheses treated with the cast-brace is reported. Seventeen Charnley low friction arthroplasties (LFA) were treated--four cast-braces were used for prophylaxis, five for single dislocations and eight for recurrent dislocations. To date, only four hips have required an operation to achieve stability. Five patients with Thompson hemi-arthroplasties were treated following dislocation with only one requiring surgery to achieve stability. A hip cast-brace is recommended as a useful alternative to surgical management of prosthetic instability.