Extract
To The Editor:In the article "The Role of Patient Restrictions in Reducing the
Prevalence of Early Dislocation Following Total Hip Arthroplasty. A
Randomized, Prospective Study" (2005;87:247-53), by Peak et al., the
authors provide high-quality data in an area addressed by few studies.After reviewing the Materials and Methods section of the paper, we have two
specific concerns. First, why was a threefold difference in dislocation rates
chosen as the threshold for detecting a difference between the two groups? As
noted by the authors, multiple factors, including surgical approach and
implant position, may contribute to dislocations in the early postoperative
period. Thus, it is difficult to imagine that discontinuing the use of an
abduction pillow and a high toilet seat, as well as not riding in an
automobile, would result in a threefold increase in dislocation rates. This
implies that, if restrictions resulted in a 50% decrease in dislocations, they
would still not be worthwhile to implement.