Although bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip is a frequently performed procedure, little information is available about the frequency of postoperative dislocation and its treatment. For this study, 1,934 hips treated consecutively with primary bipolar hemiarthroplasty were reviewed. A postoperative dislocation developed in 29 patients (1.5%): during the first month after surgery in 24 patients and between 1 month and 5 years after surgery in 5 patients. Of the 29 dislocations, 25 were successfully reduced with routine closed methods. Among these 25 hips, 13 (52%) subsequently redislocated, and 7 of these required operative treatment for the recurrent dislocation. Dislocation after primary bipolar hemiarthroplasty is infrequent, can usually be reduced by routine closed methods, but is associated with ahigh rate of recurrent dislocation.
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