Abstract
Introduction: Instability after total hip arthroplasty is an important complication. Instability usually occurs in the immediate postoperative period, but the risk also increases with time. There are numerous surgical treatment options, but they have relatively unpredictable outcomes. Numerous factors are associated with dislocation, but research has mainly focused on surgical factors. Epidemiological factors remain the subject of much debate. The aim of this study was to find any such factors significantly associated with dislocation.
Methods: The Scottish National arthroplasty non-voluntary registry is based on SMR01 records (Scottish Morbidity Record) data. We analyzed the Scottish National Arthroplasty Project to find patients’ dislocation rates up to 1 year postoperatively for age, surgeon volume, gender, previous surgery, diagnosis, and follow-up duration.
Results: There were 14,314 total hip arthroplasties performed from April 1996 to March 2004. Two hundred sixty-six dislocations occurred for an average annual incidence of 1.9%. There was an association between rate of dislocation with age, surgical volume, and previous fracture. However, there was no increase in the rate of dislocation associated with gender or with diagnoses of stroke or Parkinson’s disease.
Discussion: Statistical analysis of large databases allows identification of the most relevant factors. There is a surprisingly low incidence of THA dislocation in patients with neurological conditions. This epidemiological data allows prognostic assessment of the risk of dislocation for individual patients. From this strategies can be employed to reduce the chance of dislocation in high-risk patients.
Correspondence should be addressed to The Secretary, BHS, c/o BOA, The Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
