Total hip arthroplasty, which is more commonly called hip replacement surgery, is a procedure in which an infected or diseased hip joint is replaced with a prosthetic, or artificial, hip joint. In the United States, nearly 200,000 people undergo hip replacement surgery each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or AAOS. Before having this type of surgery, patients should discuss the potential complications in hip replacement surgery with a medical professional.
Loosening, Dislocation or Fracture
Following hip replacement surgery, certain patients can develop complications involving loosening, dislocation or fracture of the hip joint, according to MayoClinic.com. Hip joint loosening typically occurs over time and may cause painful sensations that require additional surgery to resolve.
Excess or unusual hip joint movement following surgery can cause the ball of the hip bone to fall out of its socket. Hip joint dislocation can be painful and can interfere with a patient's ability to place weight on the affected joint. Additionally, hip bone damage caused during surgery can lead to mild bone fractures in certain patients. Though these fractures are generally small and resolve without treatment, extensive hip bone fractures may require additional surgery to repair the bone.
Leg Length Changes
Infrequently, a patient can experience leg length changes as a complication in hip replacement surgery, UpToDate health experts report. Affected patients may notice that one of their legs is slightly longer than the other.
Depending upon the length difference between legs, patients can develop a limp or may have difficulty walking. Using an orthotic shoe lift can help alleviate complications resulting from uneven leg lengths following hip replacement surgery.
Joint Stiffness
Hip replacement surgery may cause unusual hardening of the tissues surrounding the hip joint, a complication of surgery referred to as ossification, MayoClinic.com medical professionals report. Joint stiffness does not typically cause pain, but can significantly interfere with a patient's ability to move the affected hip joint normally.
Infection, Bleeding or Blood Clots
Patients who undergo any type of surgical procedure are at an increased risk of developing infection, bleeding or blood clot complications, officials with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases warn. These complications occur infrequently, but can cause additional medical problems if left untreated.
A severe infection of the hip joint may require additional surgery to have the prosthetic hip joint removed or replaced. Blood clots can be life-threatening, especially if they block the flow of blood to a patient's lungs, heart or brain.
Warning signs of blood clots include leg pain or swelling, chest pain or difficulty breathing, explain AAOS health experts, and should be reported to a doctor immediately if they occur.
