Prosthetic Hip Dislocations After Total Hip Replacement: A Retrospective Study

Introduction Total hip replacement (THR) dislocation occurs when the prosthetic joint components completely separate, indicating a failure in the intended mechanics of the hip joint established by the prosthesis. This complication poses significant challenges for patients and surgeons and financially burdens healthcare systems. Methods This retrospective observational study evaluated cases of prosthetic hip dislocation within our health board that required manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) from January 1, 2021, to March 5, 2024. A total of 60 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patient data were collected from hospital records using dedicated clinical software platforms. Results The patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment received: MUA and revision THR. The Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference in the time to dislocation between the groups, but there was a notable difference in the number of dislocations. Posterior dislocations were the most common, occurring in 36 patients (60%). Of the 60 dislocated hips, 22 (36.67%) required revision surgery, while the remaining 38 cases were managed with MUA. The main cause of dislocation was noncompliance with recommended hip positioning. Conclusions Prosthetic hip dislocation remains a challenging complication following THR. Our analysis underscores the importance of monitoring for late dislocations and emphasizes the need for thorough patient education and adherence to postoperative precautions. Future multicenter studies are needed to validate our findings and develop standardized protocols to reduce dislocation risks.