Charlotte Orthopedic Specialists Hip and Knee Center and Charlotte Orthopedic Research Institute, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Between 1986 and 1998, 81 total hip revisions were performed for recurrent instability. Twenty-three revisions were fixed cups to bipolars. Average follow-up was 50 months. Radiographic evaluation showed no significant osteolysis and average migration of 1.7 mm. The average postoperative Harris hip score was 74. All patients who underwent revision to a bipolar prosthesis had no further instability. Acetabular revision to a bipolar prosthesis provides stability in recurrent prosthetic hip instability.