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JOA - 2026-03-27 - Journal Article

The Fate of the Patient Who Has Early Dislocation After Contemporary Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Fuqua AA, Hrudka BT, Collins EC, Ross BJ, Premkumar A, Wilson JM

database studyLOE IIIn = 420,053 primary THA; 1,942 early dislocators vs 360,493 controls2-year cumulative incidence from 90-day landmark point

Topics

arthroplasty
PMID: 41905423DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2025.06.063View on PubMed ->

Key Takeaway

Early dislocation within 90 days of primary THA carries a 29.0% rate of recurrent dislocation or aseptic revision by 2 years versus 1.3% in controls, with HR 22.6 for all-cause revision.

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Summary

This study used a national database (2009–2022) to determine revision and re-dislocation rates after early THA dislocation in the contemporary implant era. Landmark survivorship analysis from 90 days was applied to avoid immortal time bias, with competing risks analysis for aseptic revision, septic revision, and recurrent dislocation. Patients with ≥1 early dislocation had 29.0% incidence of aseptic revision or re-dislocation by 2 years versus 1.3% in controls, and those with 2+ early dislocations reached 51.0%, with HR 98.4 for revision specifically for dislocation.

Key Limitation

The database lacks component-level data (approach, cup anteversion, bearing surface, head size), preventing identification of which modifiable technical factors drive the highest re-dislocation risk and limiting actionable guidance on revision implant selection.

Original Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent instability remains a leading indication for revision following primary THA. However, data regarding outcomes following early dislocation is dated and limited in scope. Whether this existing data applies to contemporary practice with the broad adaptation of high-stability bearings and modern surgical techniques is unknown. Therefore, we assessed revision and re-dislocation rates following early dislocation in a contemporary group of patients following primary THA.

METHODS

A national database was used to identify patients undergoing primary THA from 2009 to 2022. Patients were divided into two cohorts: those with one or more dislocation events within 90 days and those who did not dislocate, as the control group. Landmark survivorship analysis was utilized, given the potential for immortal time bias. The two-year cumulative incidence of aseptic revision, septic revision, and recurrent dislocation after 90 days was determined by competing risks analysis.

RESULTS

At two years, the dislocation rate in all patients undergoing a single primary THA (n=420,053) was 1.2%. After landmark analysis, the incidence of aseptic revision or dislocation after 90 days in patients with an unrevised early dislocation event (n=1,942) was 29.0% versus 1.3% in controls (n=360,493) (p<0.001). Incidence of either dislocation or aseptic revision after 90 days in those who had 0, 1, or 2+ early dislocation events was 1.3, 24.0, and 51.0% at 2 years, respectively (p<0.001). Early dislocation was associated with increased risk of all-cause revision (HR 22.6; 95% CI, 20.23-25.2; p<0.001), revision for dislocation (HR 98.4; 95% CI, 83.5-116.0; p<0.001), and aseptic revision for non-instability issues (HR 9.8; 95% CI, 8.4-11.4; p<0.001).

DISCUSSION

Early dislocation within 90 days after primary THA was associated with a markedly increased risk of aseptic revision and recurrent dislocation within two years, with multiple early dislocations identified as an indicator of poorer prognosis in this population. This data provides relevant clinical data to assist surgical decision-making following early hip dislocation.