Abstract
We reviewed 3 cases who under went salvage treatment of recurrently dislocating charnley total hip prosthesis using a Wroblewski acetabular stabilizing wedge (WASW). They were followed up both clinically and radiographically for 1 year 1 month to 3 year 5 months (average: 1 year 11 months). Their ages ranged from 59 to 83 (average: 69 years) old at the treatment. These patients had additional factors contributing to the instability of the implant, including THA socket migration, muscle weakness about the involved hip joint and resection or pseudoarthrosis of the greater trochanter.
Subsequent dislocation occurred only once in 1 of the 3 patients in the seated position at 10 months after the treatment. There were neither failures of the WASW device itself nor acceleration of the THA socket loosening at the time of review. The use of a WASW is considered to be effective with less complications for those with recurrent THA dislocation especially related to muscle weakness or imbalance of the involved hip joint.
