Hip replacement surgery is a significant medical procedure used to address a serious health problem. Hip fractures can be potentially life threatening and are considered one of the world's most common sources of disability in those over the age of 50, according to the National Library of Medicine. Hip replacement surgery is not without its risks, and a complete understanding of the potential health complications will aid the patient in making informed decisions regarding their course of care.
Thrombosis
Blood clots are possible as a result of both hip fractures, and the methods used to treat them. Deep vein thrombosis is a condition wherein a blood vessel deep in the leg forms a clot, called a thrombosis, which then breaks free and travels through the blood stream.
The joint capsule of the hip is highly vascularized, and blood vessels often incur damage during a hip fracture, increasing the possibility of clot formation. Additonally, the lengthy period of convalescence associated with hip surgery can lead to the formation of blood clots due to inactivity.
Thrombosis can be fatal. Blood clots can embolize, meaning they can travel through the body and lodge in the lungs, blocking blood flow and leading to death. Orthogate, a publication of the Internet Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Trauma, explains that getting patients back on their feet after surgery is a priority, as activity decreases the risk of blood clot formation.
Infection
As with any surgical procedure, there is the danger of infectious organisms being introduced into the body during hip replacement surgery. Antibiotic treatments for such infections may not be effective if the pathogens have invaded the joint capsule. Severe infections near the prosthetic joint replacement may result in the need for a second surgery, to replace the replacement, according to MayoClinic.com.
Prosthetic Dislocation
The National Library of Medicine states that the inner portion of the femur, or thighbone, is the most biomechanically stressed area of the skeletal system, due to the force of muscles acting to move the leg. The pull of the thigh muscles on a newly replaced hip can dislodge a prosthetic hip joint from its proper location.
Certain movements, like deep bending at the hip, or medial crossing of the leg can cause the hip to dislocate and necessitate the need for a brace to stabilize the hip during the healing process.
A physical therapist will coach the recovering hip replacement patient on the gradual application of weight to the affected joint, as well as proper postures to avoid displacement of the prosthesis before the bones have stabilized.
