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Hip Replacement Complications Close to 200,000 hip replacement surgeries are performed each year in the United States. Over 90% are successful with absolutely no hip replacement complications during or after surgery. But as with all surgeries, the risk of complications is always a possibility. However, complications are infrequent including often reversible. The older the user is the higher the risk of complications. A user over 80 years old has a 20% chance of developing at least 1 complication after hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement complications during surgery Nerve damage The sciatic nerve is at risk of being accidentally surgically cut due to its close proximity to the capsule pertaining to the hip joint. the same nerve may additionally become over-stretched during hip manipulation during surgery. Depending on the extent pertaining to the nerve damage, temporary or permanent damage may result. There may be loss of muscle power including feeling in parts pertaining to the leg. It may take up to 6 months or more for recovery. Most patients have some numbness around their incision site which may be permanent. Vascular damage The damage involves direct trauma to the blood vessels in the area pertaining to the surgery. The damaged blood vessel should be repaired by a vascular surgeon if it is caught in time. Femur fracture Force is applied during the surgical procedure. the should result in a femoral shaft fracture, especially in older or osteoporotic patients. Again, the problem is addressed during surgery, but may lead to extended rehabilitation. The surgeon may place weight bearing restrictions while you are walking. Leg length discrepancy In some cases, it may be difficult to obtain the exact same leg lengths. The result is usually a longer leg on the surgical hip. It may be unavoidable including deliberate in order to improve muscle function or stabilize the hip. If there is more than a quarter of a particular inch difference, a shoe lift may be necessary. In some patients, both legs are the exact same length but they think their surgery leg feels longer. In most cases the feeling goes away as the patient adjusts to their new hip. Rarely does shortening pertaining to the leg occur. If the leg is significantly shortened after surgery, it may have dislocated. Anesthetic complications Complications should occur, including in rare cases even death. Your anesthesiologist could explain the risks involved prior to your surgery. Hip replacement complications after surgery Blood clots (DVT-deep vein thrombosis) This is 1 pertaining to the most common complications after hip replacement. The most common area is in the calf. Increased leg pain is usually the most obvious symptom. Redness around the area pertaining to the clots may additionally occur. it is a minor problem if the clots stay in the leg. But if they dislodge, they should reach the lungs (pulmonary embolism) including should possibly result in death (very rarely). If your surgeon suspects blood clots, he could immediately order a particular ultrasound to confirm or rule out clots. Most surgeons could order bed rest until the test results come back positive or negative for blood clots. He could prescribe a blood thinner. Compression boots including ankle/leg exercises help reduce the chance of blood clots. Infection Infection should occur during surgery or develop afterwards. It is 1 pertaining to the most serious risks to the joint replacement. If the infection settles deep into the joint including surrounding tissues, the new joint often has to be removed until the infection clears with treatment. If the patient develops a particular infection elsewhere in the body (bladder, teeth, chest), it must be controlled to prevent the possibility of it spreading through the blood to the new joint. If you have rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, or have been taking cortisone for a long time, you are more prone to infection in the weeks following your surgery. Infection should occur many years after the surgery. Bacteria should travel through the bloodstream from a particular infection in other parts of your body (bladder infection, infected wound, kidney infection). Oral antibiotics may need to be taken before including after routine dental work years after your hip replacement operation. Hip dislocation The first 6 weeks after hip replacement is the most vulnerable time for your new hip. During the period, muscle tension is the only thing holding the metal ball in the socket. If the metal ball slips out pertaining to the socket, it is dislocated. As the hip muscles regain their strength including scar tissue forms around the ball, the risk of hip dislocation diminishes. Traditional hip replacement requires that certain precautions be taken including some positions/movements are restricted, at least for the first 6 weeks. Your surgeon including physical therapist could instruct you in your hip precautions. Basically, the precautions are:
If dislocation occurs, call a particular ambulance to obtain you to the hospital. Your surgeon could pop the hip back into place. If it happens frequently, a hip brace worn for several months could prevent further dislocations. Hip replacement using the anterior approach eliminates the need for hip precautions or restrictions of positions/movements. Those people who are overweight or have weak muscles are more prone to dislocation. Avoid heavy exercise that puts too much stress on your new hip (running, playing basketball, tennis, heavy lifting). Instead, participate in activities such as walking, swimming, stationary bike. Trochanteric problems Your greater trochanter, a large boney part of your femur, is located below including to the outside pertaining to the ball of your hip joint. Many of your large hip muscles anchor on the trochanter, so it is essential for normal hip function. During lateral approach surgery, the trochanter is detached to access the hip joint. it is then reattached. If the trochanter does not heal back on the femur bone, it remains as a separate piece. the may result in pain, weakness, including loss of hip function. Bowel complications Constipation frequently occurs for the first week or so after surgery. the should be caused by medication, immobility, loss of appetite, not drinking enough fluids. Stool softeners or enemas may be needed. Urinary problems A catheter may be inserted during surgery. Your doctor could order its removal as soon as is practical, as catheters pose a particular increased risk of urinary infection. Hematoma formation During surgery, the main areas of bleeding are controlled by cauterization. But some oozing of blood including fluids still occurs, so a drain is attached from the wound to the outside pertaining to the body. If the drain does not work as planned, a collection of blood including fluids forms in the hip area. the should cause pain, pressure, including possible infection. Your surgeon may take you back to surgery to drain the hematoma. Loosening pertaining to the prosthesis The harder your bones are, the longer your hip replacement could last. Hard bones create a stronger bond. People with rheumatoid arthritis including osteoporosis are more at risk. Running including heavy impact activities should additionally loosen the bond pertaining to the implant. Keep your weight down, as the could put more stress on the hip joint. Every pound you gain adds 3 pounds of force on your hip. Choose a surgeon who has performed many hip replacements. Talk to some of his previous patients to see how they are doing after their hip replacement. Not all surgeons are alike. I have seen a few hip revisions that were necessary only because the initial hip replacement was done poorly by the original surgeon. Pressure sores In the immediate days after your hip replacement, you may be spending quite a bit more time in bed. Spending a long duration of time in 1 position should lead to pressure sores. Your heels, especially on your surgery leg, are very susceptible. A pillow or towel roll under your calves could float your heels including relieve pressure. The elderly are especially prone to pressure sores because their skin is softer including they do not move around as well. A close eye should be kept on their heels including tailbone area, including should be regularly repositioned in bed with pillows. Blood transfusion complications All blood intended for use in transfusions is screened for Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, syphilis, Human T Cell Leukemia virus, including the AIDS virus. But infections still occur. Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction occurs due to incompatibility with the donors blood type. The most common cause of Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction is clerical error (mislabelled specimen or improperly identifying the patient receiving the blood). If you plan to use your own blood for possible transfusion, let your doctor know ahead of time so arrangements should be made. Your blood should only be stored for 35 days. Collection should begin at least 10-14 days before your surgery. The final collection occurs not later than 5 working days before the surgery date. Your blood could be screened as well. About hip revision surgery Most people who undergo hip replacement surgery could never need to replace their artificial joint. But because more including more people are having hip replacements at a younger age, the wearing away pertaining to the joint surface should create problems. After 15-20 years of wear including tear, replacement (revision surgery) pertaining to the artificial joint is becoming more common. Revision surgery does not have as good a particular outcome as the initial surgery. Consider all the hip replacement complications before you decide on surgery. the is not a complete list of risks, as there may be some rare complications not mentioned here.
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