Reverse skeletal traction for instability following revision total hip arthroplasty. A report of two cases.
Dislocation is a recognized complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Immobilization of the hip has been used successfully to treat those cases due to soft-tissue laxity. In two patients who had severe instability of the hip following complex revision THA, skeletal traction through the tibia was applied in a cephalad direction for three weeks. This unique method of employing traction maintained a reduction and resulted in a stable hip at the six-month follow-up evaluation in both patients. Reverse skeletal traction is a valuable treatment option when more conventional methods of immobilization of the hip will not maintain a reduction due to soft-tissue compromise.
Davey
J R
JR
Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Harris
W H
WH
D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods*