ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the treatment of old central dislocation of the hip joint. MethodsBetween January 2010 and June 2014, 21 patients (21 hips) with old central dislocation of the hip joint underwent THA and autologous bone graft for acetabulum reconstruction. There were 13 males and 8 females, aged 60-75 years (mean, 67.4 years). The left hip was involved in 12 cases and the right hip in 9 cases, with a disease course of 1-20 years (mean, 9.6 years). The causes were falling from height in 6 cases, traffic accident in 9 cases, crushing in 4 cases, and others in 2 cases. Hip pain, limited activity, and lameness were the main clinical symptoms. Preoperative Harris score was 32.95±2.06 and visual analogue scale (VAS) was 8.14±0.73. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. The patients were followed up 1.9-6.4 years (mean, 4.6 years). The X-ray films showed bone graft fusion at 4-24 months (mean, 12.5 months); there were no complications of grafted bone absorption, osteolysis, and infection. During follow-up, no prosthetic loosening or sinking, and no translucent zones around the prosthesis were observed. Harris score was significantly improved to 87.67±2.01 at 1 week and 92.10±1.95 at 1 year; and VAS score was significantly decreased to 2.57±0.81 at 1 week and 0.19 ±0.51 at 1 year (P < 0.05). ConclusionTHA is an effective surgical treatment for old central dislocation of the hip joint, because it can restore normal hip rotation center and reconstruct the hip joint function.