The constrained acetabular component for hip instability

One hundred four hips in 107 patients undergoing revision arthroplasty of the hip were identified at risk of dislocation and treated with the constrained cup. Radiostereometric analysis was performed to assess prosthesis migration. Mean follow-up was 3.0 years (range, 2.0-4.8). At last review, 19 patients had died and 6 were lost to follow-up. There were 5 revisions for cup loosening and a further 4 with radiographic evidence of loosening. There were 3 dislocations and 3 dissociations in 5 patients. Radiostereometric analysis demonstrated that cup migration at 24 months was up to 0.82 mm of translation and 1.58 degrees of rotation. Our results confirm that the constrained acetabular component is a highly effective option for the treatment for patients with instability of the hip. The aseptic loosening rate was higher than previously reported.