Journal Article

Risk of dislocation using large- vs. small-diameter femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty

Akbar, Michael, Stroh, D Alex, Mont, Michael A, Plate, Johannes F, Seyler, Thorsten M, Issa, Kimona

2012

Overview

Background Dislocation remains a difficult problem in total hip arthroplasty. Large-diameter femoral heads may lower the incidence of dislocation by enhancing the jump distance and decreasing impingement, but their performance against small-diameter heads has not been assessed. This study compared the mid-term radiographic and functional outcomes of two matched cohorts of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty who had a high pre-operative risk for dislocation and who received either small-diameter (26- or 28-millimeters) or large-diameter (≥36-millimeters) femoral heads. Methods All patients who received large-diameter heads (≥36-millimeter) between 2002 and 2005, and who had pre-operative risk factors for dislocation, were identified in the institution’s joint registry. Forty-one patients (52 hips) who received large-diameter heads were identified, and these patients were matched to 48 patients (52 hips) in the registry who received small-diameter femoral heads. Results At mean final follow-up of 62 months (range, 49 to 101 months), both groups achieved excellent functional outcomes as measured by Harris Hip scores, with slightly better final scores in the large-diameter group (90 vs. 83 points). No patient showed any radiographic signs of loosening. No patient dislocated in the large-diameter femoral head group; the smaller-diameter group had a greater rate of dislocation (3.8%, 2 out of 52). Conclusions Large-diameter femoral head articulations may reduce dislocation rates in patients who have a high pre-operative risk for dislocation while providing the same functional improvements and safety as small-diameter bearings.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Age / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Artificial hip joints / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Colleges & universities / Confidence intervals / Dislocation / Female / Harris Hip score / Health aspects / Hip Dislocation / Hip joint / Hip Prosthesis / Hospitals / Humans / Joint surgery / Large-diameter / Life Sciences / Male / Medicine/Public Health / Middle Aged / Occupational therapy / Prostheses / Research Article / Risk Factors / Surgery / Total hip arthroplasty / Transplants & implants