Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (33): 7241-7249.doi: 10.12307/2025.910

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Complications of intra-prosthetic dissociation after hip arthroplasty

Liao Qiyu, Ru Jiangying   

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2024-09-12 Accepted:2024-11-19 Online:2025-11-28 Published:2025-04-15
  • Contact: Ru Jiangying, MD, Associate professor, Chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, Guangdong Province, China
  • About author:Liao Qiyu, Master candidate, Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People’s Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, Guangdong Province, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The modular prosthesis applied in hip arthroplasty has the greatest advantages of making operations more flexible, individually meeting the needs of different patients, and reducing the chance of prosthesis revision. Even in the case of revision surgery, the procedure can be simplified, minimizing bone destruction and loss. However, the possible complication of intra-prosthetic dissociation after operation is still an important issue that cannot be ignored in clinical practice, which may bring disastrous consequences once it occurs. Therefore, having a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiological characteristics, imaging interpretation, mechanism and treatment of this complication is of great importance for joint surgeons to develop appropriate scientific and reasonable prevention and treatment strategies.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress on the complication of intra-prosthetic dissociation after hip arthroplasty.
METHODS: The WanFang and PubMed databases were retrieved for original research, reviews, comments, case reports, and meta-analyses published from January 1, 1978 to August 31, 2024 on the complications of intra-prosthesis separation after hip replacement. The epidemiological characteristics, imaging interpretation, occurrence mechanism, and treatment strategies of intra-prosthesis separation complications after hip arthroplasty were reviewed by summarizing and analyzing the literature.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Intra-prosthetic dissociation is a comparatively uncommon complication. This complication may pose a higher risk in the early postoperative period for patients who are middle-aged with higher activity level, overweight or preoperatively diagnosed with osteoarthritis. (2) Although specific signs under X-ray or ultrasound imaging can facilitate the diagnosis of intra-prosthetic dissociation, MRI and CT are deemed more valuable in diagnosing polyethylene liners dissociation. (3) The cause of intra-prosthetic dissociation may be related to factors such as intra-prosthetic impingement, prosthesis-related factors, improper positioning of the prosthesis, and iatrogenic disassociation. (4) The treatment strategy should be determined based on comprehensive factors such as the type of intra-prosthetic dissociation, patient’s physical condition and comorbidities.

Key words: intra-prosthetic dissociation, hip arthroplasty, action mechanism, treatment strategy, orthopedic implant

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