Risk of Dislocation After Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Crowe Type IV Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the risk of dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is high and to further identify the risk factors for postoperative dislocation in these patients. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed Crowe type IV DDH patients undergoing THA between January 2009 and December 2017 in our institution. Each Crowe type IV DDH patient was matched with three Crowe type I, II, or III DDH patients according to gender, side and date of operation. The primary outcome of this study was postoperative dislocation after THA. Occurrence, rate, classification, treatment and outcome of dislocation were documented in detail for all patients. The dislocation rates were compared between Crowe type IV DDH patients and Crowe type I, II, or III DDH patients. Demographic data, implant factors, and surgical factors were compared between the dislocation and no dislocation groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for dislocation in Crowe type IV hips. RESULTS: A total of 131 Crowe type IV hips were followed up for a mean of 76.5 ± 28.1 months. Three hundred and ninety‐three Crowe type I, II and III hips, including 261 type I hips, 94 type II hips, and 38 type III hips, were identified as controls and followed up for a mean of 76.4 ± 28.2 months. No significant difference was observed in follow‐up time between two groups (P = 0.804). One or more dislocations occurred in 22 of the 524 dysplasia hips (4.20%). Of the 22 dislocated hips, 20 hips (90.9%) were successfully managed with non‐operative treatment. Two patients (9.1%, one Crowe type I and one Crowe type IV) experienced recurrent dislocation and required revision surgery. Crowe type IV hips had a significantly higher postoperative dislocation rate than type I, II, and III hips (11.45% vs 1.78%, P < 0.001). The use of a 22‐mm femoral head (odds ratio [OR] = 23.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.901–291.788, P = 0.014), older age (OR = 1.128, 95% CI = 1.037–1.275, P = 0.031), and absence of false acetabulum (OR = 12.425, 95% CI = 1.982–77.879, P = 0.007) were identified as independent risk factors for dislocation in Crowe type IV hips. CONCLUSIONS: Crowe type IV DDH patients were at a high risk of dislocation after THA, and using large femoral heads and improving abductor muscle strength may help decrease the rate of postoperative dislocation in such patients.