Dual Mobility Hip Replacement

Craig Waller
The dual mobility concept for hip replacement originated in St Etienne, France, in 1975, with the first implantations in 1979. French surgeons have the most long term experience with dual mobility hips, where >30% of primary hip replacements are dual mobility.

Dual mobility is the most stable form of hip replacement and is ideal for situations where instability is an issue. Dual mobility hips are more successful in treating recurrent dislocations than constrained liners or large ball replacements. A unique complication of dual mobility hip replacement is intra-prosthetic dislocation due to internal polyethylene wear. This complication has reduced from 2% at 10 years in earlier series to 0.4% in more recent reports.

In my own series of 420 dual mobility hip replacements there has been only one revision (performed elsewhere for psoas tendonitis). There have been no dislocations, loosening or other complications. The dual mobility construct is compatible with high activity levels and impact sports including long distance running, martial arts, big wave surfing, skiing and even contact rugby.