Instability After All-Cause Acetabular-Only Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty Remains a Clinical Problem

The purpose of this study is to (1) evaluate the rate of instability and reoperation after acetabular component–only revision, (2) compare instability rates across various head sizes, and (3) determine patient factors correlating with postoperative instability.

We retrospectively reviewed all isolated acetabular component revisions (n = 200) at our institution between 2007 and 2017. Patients with less than one-year follow-up were excluded. Patients were subdivided into 4 head size groups: (1) 32 mm or less, (2) 36 mm or more, (3) dual mobility, and (4) constrained liners. Factors including the body mass index, cup position, prior revision(s), and subsequent reoperation were compared across groups.

189 patients (200 hips) met the inclusion criteria. The overall rate of instability was 12% (n = 24), and 37 (18.5%) cases underwent subsequent revision, including 11 cases for recurrent instability. There was no significant difference in postoperative dislocation or reoperation for instability across the various groups. The use of a constrained liner trended toward the highest rate of postoperative instability (36.4%, P = .090). History of preoperative instability was a significant risk factor for postoperative instability with or without history of prior revision ( P = .011 and P = .001, respectively).

Contemporary isolated acetabular revision is still associated with significant rates of instability. Surprisingly, the head size was not a predictive factor for postoperative dislocation or reoperation, but a prior history of instability was associated with postoperative instability. Patients revised to a constrained liner experienced highest rates of failure and remain an unsolved clinical problem.