A Constrained Device with Increased Range of Motion Prevents Early Dislocation

Constrained components can treat or prevent instability after total hip arthroplasty. Some previous designs have shown a high rate of early dislocation. These early dislocations appear to be secondary to component impingement and levering out of the femoral head. We report the early rate of dislocation in 81 consecutive patients undergoing constrained total hip arthroplasty using a novel constrained device that allows substantially more range of motion and a higher lever out strength. One hip redislocated at 6 months followup, for a success rate of 98.8%. The success rate was 93% for patients for whom a constrained device was placed during revision for recurrent instability. This device allows a higher range of motion before prosthetic impingement and maintains a higher levering out strength when impingement occurs. These changes should provide long lasting hip stability in these difficult cases.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, level IV (case series). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.