CClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07464665DUALSIM-THAUpdated Jul 16, 2026

Comparing Dual-mobility Cups Versus Unipolar Cups for Unselected Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty by Direct Anterior Approach

An interventional study of Primary total hip arthroplasty using dual-mobility cup and Primary total hip arthroplasty using unipolar cup in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty and Primary Total Hip Replacement, sponsored by Elsan. Recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-16.

Sponsored by Elsan · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
300
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

THA comprises the replacement of the damaged bone and cartilage with prosthetic components. The proximal end of the femur is replaced with a stem and ball/head, while the acetabulum is most commonly replaced with a unipolar cup (UP) that consists of a liner inside of a metal shell. UP cups are associated with risks of dislocations, especially in elderly and female patients, as well as in patients with lumbar stiffness or operated for femoral neck fractures. In fact, one of the most common reasons for early revision of UP cups are dislocations.

Dual-mobility (DM) cups were introduced in the 1970s by the French surgeon Gilles Bousquet, as an alternative to UP cups. They are made up of two articulations, a femoral head moving inside a mobile polyethylene liner, which in turn moves inside a metal shell. This design allows for a greater jump distance and range of motion (ROM) compared to UP cups, thus resulting in reduced rates of dislocation.

A recent systematic review that evaluated 5 case-control studies (549 DM cups vs 649 UP cups) and 3 registry studies (5935 DM cups vs 217362 UP) found that in case-control studies, the dislocation rates were 0.2% for DM cups versus 7.1% for UP cups (p=0.009). Furthermore, in registry studies the revision rates due to dislocation were 0.2% for DM cups versus 0.5% for UP cups (p=0.050).

Nonetheless, there have been some concerns associated with the use of DM cups, including intra-prosthetic dislocations (IPD), polyethylene wear, and iliopsoas impingement. Since the early 2000s, new improvements in the design of DM cups have nearly eliminated the risk of IPD, and the use of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has greatly reduced wear rates, even in young and active patients. Lastly, although some studies have reported iliopsoas impingement with DM cups, the impingement is usually against the optional fixations, and not against the mobile polyethylene insert.

The hypothesis of the present interventional randomised controlled trial (RCT) is that THA using DM cups will not provide inferior outcomes compared to THA using UP cups, in terms of hip awareness measured using the forgotten joint score (FJS).

02

Conditions studied

  • Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty
  • Primary Total Hip Replacement

Keywords

  • total hip arthroplasty
  • THA
  • total hip replacement
  • THR
  • randomised controlled trial
  • RCT
  • unipolar cup
  • dual-mobility cup
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Elsan is the lead sponsor of 66 studies on the registry; 33 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • men and women aged ≥18 years old
  • set to undergo elective primary THA via direct anterior approach (DAA)
  • affiliated with a social security scheme
  • able to answer questionnaires and to communicate freely in French
  • who have been informed and have provided free, informed, and written consent (no later than the day of inclusion and before any examination required by the study)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • with prior ipsilateral hip surgery
  • with prior contralateral hip surgery
  • that require acetabular cup diameters ≤50mm (because DM cups are not available from the same manufacturer for diameters ≤50mm, and UP cups require head diameters of 36mm and thus minimum cup diameters of 52mm)
  • undergoing emergency or trauma surgery (e.g. femoral neck fractures)
  • with any concomitant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the surgeon, may put the patient at risk, notably of hip instability or dislocation (hip dysplasia, neuromuscular deficit, fracture sequelae…) or may influence the result of the study
  • that are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • under legal protection (guardianship or curatorship or deprived of liberty).
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
300 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    THA with dual-mobility cup

    The THA will be performed via the DAA. The liner will be made of highly-crosslinked vitamin-E infused polyethylene. The femoral head will be made of either metal or ceramic. The dual-mobility cup will always be cementless, while the stem will be cemented in female patients aged ≥75 years, as well as in any patient diagnosed with osteoporosis. A blunt dissection will be carried out through the tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFLM), between the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles. A femoral neck osteotomy will then be performed using an oscillating saw, and the femoral head will be removed with a corkscrew. The acetabular components and the selected liner according to the randomisation, will then be implanted.The femoral head will then be impacted onto the femoral stem, and the prosthesis will be reduced. Closure of the surgical site will be performed in layers.

    Procedure: Primary total hip arthroplasty using dual-mobility cup

  • Active comparator
    THA with unipolar cup

    The THA will be performed via the DAA. The liner will be made of highly-crosslinked vitamin-E infused polyethylene. The femoral head will be made of either metal or ceramic. The unipolar cup will always be cementless, while the stem will be cemented in female patients aged ≥75 years, as well as in any patient diagnosed with osteoporosis. A blunt dissection will be carried out through the tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFLM), between the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles. A femoral neck osteotomy will then be performed using an oscillating saw, and the femoral head will be removed with a corkscrew. The acetabular components and the selected liner according to the randomisation, will then be implanted.The femoral head will then be impacted onto the femoral stem, and the prosthesis will be reduced. Closure of the surgical site will be performed in layers.

    Procedure: Primary total hip arthroplasty using unipolar cup

Interventions

  • ProcedurePrimary total hip arthroplasty using dual-mobility cup

    Replacement of hip articulating surface.

    Also known as: Primary total hip replacement, THA, THR

  • ProcedurePrimary total hip arthroplasty using unipolar cup

    Replacement of hip articulating surface.

    Also known as: Primary total hip replacement, THA, THR

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Forgotten Joint Score between DM cup group and UP cup group

    The primary outcome is defined as patient-reported hip awareness at 2 years postoperatively, measured using the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS). The FJS is a validated self-administered questionnaire that measures the patients' ability to forget about a joint as a result of successful treatment. The questionnaire comprises 12 items. Each item is scored using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "never" (0 points) to "mostly" (4 points). The final FJS score is calculated as the addition of all items, divided by the number of items answered. The mean score is then multiplied by 25, and that value is subtracted from 100. The FJS ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 corresponding to the best score: the patient has forgotten about their joint.

    Time frame: 2 years

Secondary outcomes

  1. Forgotten Joint Score between DM cup group and UP cup group

    Patient-reported hip awareness at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, measured using the FJS. The FJS is a validated self-administered questionnaire that measures the patients' ability to forget about a joint as a result of successful treatment. The questionnaire comprises 12 items. Each item is scored using a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from "never" (0 points) to "mostly" (4 points). The final FJS score is calculated as the addition of all items, divided by the number of items answered. The mean score is then multiplied by 25, and that value is subtracted from 100. The FJS ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 corresponding to the best score: the patient has forgotten about their joint.

    Time frame: 3 months and 1 year

  2. To compare the patient's hip/groin pain between DM cups versus UP cups, as well as to compare the net change from baseline

    Patient-reported hip/groin pain preoperatively and at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively, measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS). The net change will be calculated at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years taking the preoperative value as baseline. The NRS ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 representing no pain, and 10 representing the maximum pain imaginable.

    Time frame: preoperatively, at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years

  3. To compare the patient's hip function between DM cups versus UP cups

    Patient-reported hip function preoperatively and at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively, measured using the Oxford hip score (OHS). The OHS is a validated self-administered questionnaire that assesses disability, in terms of function and pain, in patients undergoing THA. The questionnaire comprises 12 items. Each item is scored using a 5-point Likert scale, from 0 to 4 points, with 0 representing the worst outcome and 4 the best. The final OHS score is calculated as the addition of all items. The OHS ranges from 0 to 48, with 48 corresponding to the best score. Clinician-reported hip ROM preoperatively and at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. ROM will be measured in degrees, in flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, abduction, adduction.

    Time frame: preoperatively, at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years

  4. To compare the patient's sports activity between DM cups versus UP cups

    Patient-reported return to sports (yes/no) and time to return to sports (months) will be assessed at 1 year postoperatively.

    Time frame: 1 year

  5. To compare the patient's sports activity between DM cups versus UP cups

    The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score will be evaluated preoperatively, at 1 year and 2 years postoperatively. The UCLA activity score assesses physical activity in patients undergoing hip surgery. The questionnaire is a single-item 10-level-scale, ranging from 1-10, with 10 representing a highly physically active patient, and 1 representing a patient who is dependent on others and unable to leave home.

    Time frame: preoperatively, at 1 year and 2 years

  6. To compare the patient's sexual activity between DM cups versus UP cups

    Patient-reported return to sexual activity (yes/no) and time to return to sexual activity (months) will be assessed at 1 year postoperatively.

    Time frame: 1 year

  7. To compare the patient's sexual activity between DM cups versus UP cups

    If the patient has returned to sexual activities, they will be asked to complete the questionnaire developed by Rougereau et al.. The questionnaire has 3 items, each of which is presented separately: (i) frequency of sexual intercourse after THA compared to before THA (unable to perform intercourse, unchanged, decreased, increased); (iia) difficulties with resuming sexual activity (yes, no), if yes, (iib) for what reason? (apprehension, pain, discomfort, decreased libido, other); and (iiia) change in sexual positions compared to before THA (unable to perform intercourse, temporary, definitive, none), if temporary, (iiib) for how long? (less than 3 weeks, more than 3 weeks).

    Time frame: 1 year

  8. To compare the patient's satisfaction with surgery between DM cups versus UP cups

    Patient-reported satisfaction with surgery at 1 year postoperatively, measured using a NRS. The NRS ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 representing extremely dissatisfied, and 10 representing extremely satisfied.

    Time frame: 1 year

  9. To compare adverse events (that may impact the objectives of the study) between DM cups versus UP cups

    Adverse events that may impact the objectives of the study, as well as complications (e.g. fracture, infection, hematoma, limb length discrepancy, aseptic loosening, articular noise), reoperations, and implant revisions, will be collected throughout the study period, specifying the incidence, severity, and relationship to the surgery performed. Adverse events of interest will be dislocations and iliopsoas impingement.

    Time frame: intraoperatively, at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years

Other outcomes

  1. To evaluate whether age is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between age and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  2. To evaluate whether sex is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between sex and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  3. To evaluate whether body mass index is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between body mass index and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  4. To evaluate whether preoperative hip pain is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between preoperative hip pain and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  5. To evaluate whether preoperative Oxford Hip Score is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between preoperative Oxford Hip Score and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  6. To evaluate whether preoperative range of motion is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between preoperative range of motion and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  7. To evaluate whether preoperative University of California Los Angeles activity score is associated with the Forgotten Joint Score

    Association between preoperative University of California Los Angeles activity score and the FJS at 2 years.

    Time frame: 2 years

  8. To compare the patient's experience regarding their care during hospitalisation between DM cups versus UP cups

    Patient-reported experience regarding their care during hospitalisation will be measured at 3 months using the questionnaire developed by Benson et al.. The questionnaire comprises 4 items rated on a 4-point scale (excellent, good, fair, poor): (i) were you treated kindly?, (ii) were you listened and explained?, (iii) were you seen promptly?, (iv) were things well organised?

    Time frame: 3 months

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Jones HB, Hinkle AJ, Liu Y, Sambandam SN. Multivariate Analysis of Risk Factors for In-Hospital Dislocation Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty. J Clin Med. 2024 Jun 13;13(12):3456. doi: 10.3390/jcm13123456. PubMed 38929981 ↗
  • Fessy MH, Viste A, Philippot R, Belzile EL. Recent progress in dual mobility total hip arthroplasty: an irresistible French icon. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2024 Oct;110(6):103993. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2024.103993. Epub 2024 Sep 10. No abstract available. PubMed 39265929 ↗
  • Jonker RC, van Beers LWAH, van der Wal BCH, Vogely HC, Parratte S, Castelein RM, Poolman RW. Can dual mobility cups prevent dislocation without increasing revision rates in primary total hip arthroplasty? A systematic review. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2020 May;106(3):509-517. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2019.12.019. Epub 2020 Apr 8. PubMed 32278733 ↗
  • Varacallo MA, Luo TD, Johanson NA. Total Hip Arthroplasty Techniques. 2023 Aug 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507864/ PubMed 29939641 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 16, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07464665
Lead sponsor
Elsan
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Mar 11, 2026
Start date
Jul 7, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Jul 1, 2030 (estimated)
Completion
Jul 1, 2030 (estimated)
Last update
Jul 16, 2026

Study contacts

Nicolas Verdier
Contact
dr.nicolas.verdier@gmail.com
+33(0)535549569
Charlène Py
Contact
charlene.py@elsan.care
+33(0)556003048

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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