Hip instability after total hip replacement

The number of THA procedures performed each year continues to increase exponentially. With the increase in procedures comes the increase in the number of complications. Instability after THA continues to be reported in the 3–4% range by many authors; so, as the number of procedures increases so will the number of instability occurrences. Knowing the risk factors and an algorithm to treat these patients is paramount to assure the best and most cost-effective means of treatment. An algorithmic approach on how to approach the first-time dislocation to the patient who has recurrent episodes is presented as well as the stepwise approach in diagnosing and approaching the confounding variables that may be at hand behind the cause of the unstable THA patient.