Dislocation is one of the most common and disturbing complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA). This is a challenging situation, especially in patients with a high risk of dislocation. Constrict acetabular liner is among the different types of technics for preventing instability.

Describe the radiological and clinical results of patients submitted to a primary or revision THA using a constrict acetabular liner.

52 patients with high risk for dislocation were operated between 2006 and 2015 with a constrict acetabular liner. They were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after surgery and them annually. The Merle D'Aubigné Postel Method was used to access the clinical outcomes and anteroposterior pelvic and hip profile radiography was performed to access any evidence of loosening of the acetabular cup.

33 (63%) patients were female, the average age were 80 (52 – 94) years old. 29 (75%) cases were primary THA and 13 (25%) revision surgery. The mean follow up was 49(19 – 126) months. 31 (59%) patients died during the study, 5 deaths (9.6%) occurred in the first 3 months after surgery. There were 4 unsatisfactory results: 2 (3.8%) dislocations (secondary to high energy trauma) and 2 (3.8%) early aseptic loosening that required revision surgery. The median preoperative global score of Merle D'Aubigné Postel was 16.7% and the postoperative was 88.9%. The population that presented the least improvement in the clinical outcome (< 50% of improvement) were patients with previous surgery on the same hip (p<0.0001) and revisions surgeries due to instability (p=0.005). When comparing the mortality rate with the percent of clinical improvement after surgery, there was no statistic difference.

Constricted acetabular liner is a good option for treatment in selected cases, with a low rate of complications and a good implant survival with a short follow up.