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Hip joint replacement - Risks

Alternative Names

Hip arthroplasty; Total hip replacement; Hip hemiarthroplasty

Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia are:

Allergic reactions to medicines
Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

Bleeding
Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
Heart attack or stroke during surgery
Infection, including in the lungs, urinary tract, and chest

Some risks of this surgery are:

Allergic reaction to the artificial joint
Dislocation of the artificial joint
Extra bone growth that can cause stiffness
Infection that requires removing the joint
Injury to nerves or blood vessels
Loosening of the artificial joint over time
Mental confusion (dementia): Many people who fracture a hip already have some problems thinking clearly. Sometimes, having a fracture and surgery can make this worse.
Pneumonia
Pressure sores (also called pressure ulcers or bed sores) from being in bed or a chair for long periods of time.

People who have a prosthesis, such as an artificial joint, need to carefully protect themselves against infection. You should carry a medical identification card in your wallet that says you have a prosthesis. You should take antibiotics before any dental work or invasive medical procedures.

$Hip fracture$

Hip fracture

Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis

Hip joint replacement - series

Reviewed last on: 10/31/2010
C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Eikelboom JW, Karthikeyan G, Fagel N, Hirsh J. American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American College of Chest Physicians guidelines for venous thromboembolism prevention in hip and knee arthroplasty differ: what are the implications for clinicians and patients? Chest. 2009;135:513-520.

Harkess JW. Arthroplasty of the hip. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 7.

Jones CA. Total joint arthroplasties: current concepts of patient outcomes after surgery. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2007;33(1):71-86.

St Clair SF. Hip and knee arthroplasty in the geriatric population. Clin Geriatr Med. 2006;22(3): 515-533.

Schmalzried TP. Metal-metal bearing surfaces in hip arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2009;32.

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