Dislocation in total hip arthroplasties.

In a series of 1,443 total hip arthroplasties performed between 1970 and 1975, dislocation was the most frequent complication and its incidence was found to be increasing. Dislocatin was frequently associated with component malposition that the surgeon was not aware of at the time of surgery and was relatively frequent among less experienced surgeons. It was especially frequent if the patient had had previous hip surgery and was related to the difficulty of the surgery rather than the primary hip disease. Increasing incidence was associated with change in operative technique and less stringent patient selection. Dislocation was 2 1/2 times more frequent if trochanteric osteotomy was not performed. The tip of the greater trochanter was moved significantly closer to the center of the prosthetic head in the patients who dislocated. Traction for up to three weeks did not lower the incidence of subsequent dislocation compared with mobilization of the patients as soon as tolerated after dislocation. Surgery was effective in preventing further dislocations in patients with recurrent dislocation and component malposition. The use of an articulated prosthesis is not recommended.