Postoperative dislocation of the head of the hip endoprosthesis and ways to prevent it

428 primary and 20 revision hip arthroplasties (384 patients) were performed during 1992-1998 at Republic Center of Arthroplasty. Hip dislocation was observed in 10 patients. Seven of those hips dislocated during the second postoperative week. Two cases of the recurrent and one case of old dislocation are described. It is shown that the incorrect orientation of acetabular component contributes to hip dislocation. Reduction should be performed under anesthesia with musculature relaxation. In case of recurrent or old dislocations open reduction is indicated. Prevention of hip dislocation must be performed both during intra- and postoperative period.