Be Wary of Mixing and Matching: "Watch" cites concerns with intraprosthetic dislocation of dual-mobility hip implants

NEEDHAM, Mass., Sept. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JBJS Case Connector, an online case journal published by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, has issued a "Watch" regarding early intraprosthetic dislocation with dual-mobility hip implants. The "Watch" is based on two case reports published in the September 25^th issue, in addition to recent cases in the orthopaedic literature pointing to similar problems.

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In both cases of early intraprosthetic dislocation described, surgeons chose a mix-and-match strategy to minimize complexity and bone loss and to maximize hip stability. Despite these sound clinical objectives, both cases suggest that combining dual-mobility components with components from manufacturers of non-dual-mobility systems may increase the risk of adverse events.

To enhance clinical outcomes and improve patient safety, JBJS Case Connector is committed to alerting the orthopaedic community about potentially problematic devices or therapeutic approaches.  When two or more such cases with similar mechanisms appear, our editors will identify the procedure or implant as a "watchable" intervention to sharpen the focus of clinicians on the potential for similar problems and enhance clinical outcomes and patient safety.

"The publication of 'Watches' helps fulfill our mission to serve the orthopaedic community," commented Marc  Swiontkowski, MD, editor of JBJS Case Connector.  "The 'Watch' designation may encourage the orthopaedic community to either demonstrate that these are isolated, unrelated cases or sharpen the focus further by rigorously evaluating the intervention and/or reporting related cases."

About JBJS Case Connector
JBJS Case Connector is an online, cross-referenced journal containing thousands of orthopaedic case reports. It compiles symptoms, conditions, and demographic details to empower surgeons to find cases similar to theirs and to mine the database to reveal emerging trends and identify patterns, distinguishing between truly rare cases and repeated, related single instances of a larger problem.  For more information, visit caseconnector.jbjs.org.

About JBJS 
JBJS, Inc., is a not-for-profit publisher specializing in orthopaedic information. It publishes the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, which has been the most valued source of information for orthopaedic surgeons and researchers for over 100 years and is the gold standard in peer-reviewed scientific information in the field -- a core journal and essential reading for orthopaedic surgeons worldwide. Other publications include JBJS Case Connector and JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques. For more information, visit www.jbjs.org.

SOURCE The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Inc.