Reverse skeletal traction for instability following revision total hip arthroplasty. A report of two cases.

Dislocation is a recognized complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Immobilization of the hip has been used successfully to treat those cases due to soft-tissue laxity. In two patients who had severe instability of the hip following complex revision THA, skeletal traction through the tibia was applied in a cephalad direction for three weeks. This unique method of employing traction maintained a reduction and resulted in a stable hip at the six-month follow-up evaluation in both patients. Reverse skeletal traction is a valuable treatment option when more conventional methods of immobilization of the hip will not maintain a reduction due to soft-tissue compromise.