Scientists have developed a new tool that helps to identify which patients undergoing total hip replacement may be at higher risk for an implant dislocation after surgery. The researchers showed that spinal deformity was a significant risk factor for dislocation and subsequent revision surgery. In a hip replacement, an artificial joint comprising a ball and socket is implanted to replace the natural ball and socket in the pelvis, enabling movement that is typical of the hip joint.

While dislocations only occur in about 1 per cent of patients after hip replacement, certain individuals may be at a higher risk. "Dislocation is a common reason for a total hip replacement to fail, and when it happens, sufferers can experience significant pain and require another surgery to fix the problem," said lead author Jonathan Vigdorchik, assistant professor at the New York University School of Medicine.