The aims of this study were to determine the
functional impact and financial burden of isolated and recurrent dislocation
after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Our secondary goal was to determine
whether there was a difference between patients who were treated
non-operatively and those who were treated operatively. We retrospectively reviewed 71 patients who had suffered dislocation
of a primary THA. Their mean age was 67 years (41 to 92) and the
mean follow-up was 3.8 years (2.1 to 8.2). Because patients with recurrent dislocation were three times
more likely to undergo operative treatment (p <
0.0001), they
ultimately had a significantly higher mean Harris Hip Score (HHS)
(p = 0.0001), lower mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities
Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (p = 0.001) and a higher mean SF-12
score (p <
0.0001) than patients with a single dislocation. Likewise,
those who underwent operative treatment had a higher mean HHS (p
<
0.0001), lower mean WOMAC score (p <
0.0001) and a higher
mean SF-12 score (p <
0.0001) than those who were treated non-operatively. Recurrent dislocation and operative treatment increased costs
by 300% (£11 456;
p <
0.0001) and 40% (£5217; p <
0.0001), respectively. The operative treatment of recurrent dislocation results in significantly
better function than non-operative management. Moreover, the increase
in costs for operative treatment is modest compared with that of
non-operative measures. Cite this article:
We are currently facing an epidemic of periprosthetic
fractures around the hip. They may occur either during surgery or
post-operatively. Although the acetabulum may be involved, the femur
is most commonly affected. We are being presented with new, difficult
fracture patterns around cemented and cementless implants, and we
face the challenge of an elderly population who may have grossly
deficient bone and may struggle to rehabilitate after such injuries.
The correct surgical management of these fractures is challenging.
This article will review the current choices of implants and techniques
available to deal with periprosthetic fractures of the femur. Cite this article:
