Primary total hip arthroplasty with dual mobility socket to prevent dislocation: a 22-year follow-up of 240 hips

Purpose The longest follow-up dual mobility series from inventor Gilles Bousquet focussing on implant survival and the incidence of dislocation. Methods This was a retrospective study from 1985 to 1990, on 240 hips using a PF (R) modular femoral stem and a dual mobility Novae (R) tripodal socket (SERF). Results The 22-year follow-up global survival rate was 74%. No dislocation occurred, 41 hips were revised, including ten retentive failures (RF), 12 hips were lost to follow-up, 87 patients (99 hips) died without revision, and 90 hips were still in situ. Conclusion The dual mobility socket global survival rate is comparable to similar series. The 0% dislocation rate demonstrates the success of dual mobility with regard to implant stability. The main issues were cup fixation, which might be improved by the use of macrostructures and HA coating, and osteolytic lesions, caused by polyethylene wear. Traditionally suitable for patients older than 60 years, dual mobility might be extended for use in patients over 50.