Retrospective Medicare database study (2005–2012) examining whether prior lumbar spinal fusion increases the one-year dislocation rate after primary THA, and whether dislocation risk scales with the number of fused levels.
When a THA candidate has prior lumbar fusion, counsel them that their dislocation risk is roughly doubled for short fusions and nearly tripled for long fusions compared to age-matched unfused patients — and consider stability-maximizing strategies such as dual mobility constructs, larger femoral heads, or carefully adjusted component positioning to account for their fixed pelvic posture.
Retrospective Medicare database study (2005–2012) examining whether prior lumbar spinal fusion increases the one-year dislocation rate after primary THA, and whether dislocation risk scales with the number of fused levels.
When a THA candidate has prior lumbar fusion, counsel them that their dislocation risk is roughly doubled for short fusions and nearly tripled for long fusions compared to age-matched unfused patients — and consider stability-maximizing strategies such as dual mobility constructs, larger femoral heads, or carefully adjusted component positioning to account for their fixed pelvic posture.