The hip is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the human body and is an important joint in overall mobility. Arthritis of the hip joint, hip fracture and other conditions can limit mobility and cause pain, and when conservative measures such as medications and physical therapy fail, replacing the hip is an option. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states more than 193,000 hip replacements, sometimes called total hip arthroplasty, are performed yearly in the United States and involve replacing the damaged hip with an artificial one. As with all surgeries, the operation is not without risk.
Types
Blood clots in the lower extremities or pelvis, which can break apart and go to the lungs, are the most frequent complication in hip replacement surgery, occurring in 1 percent of cases, according to the informational website UpToDate.com. Infection of the surgical site occurs with slightly less frequency. Infrequent but serious complications include injury to blood vessels or nerves and unequal leg lengths as well as problems with the replaced hip, including dislocation, slippage and breakage.
Time Frame
Complications can occur during or after hip replacement. Complications that occur at the time of surgery include fracture---usually of the thighbone, the femur---or injury to vessels and nerves. Postoperative complications from months to years after a hip replacement include blood clots and infection, as well as dislocation of the replaced hip, breakage or hip loosening.
Symptoms
Symptoms that should prompt immediate medical attention include leg swelling and redness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, chills, tenderness over the surgical site, or drainage from the incision. Inability to walk with the replaced hip, popping sounds over the operated joint and significant stiffness are concerning for problems with the artificial joint and should be checked by a health professional.
Treatment
Medications, physical therapy, orthotics and sometimes surgery are used to treat complications of hip replacement, says MayoClinic.com. Blood thinners are used for blood clots. Antibiotics and sometimes surgical drainage are used to treat infectious complications. Mechanical problems with the replaced hip may need surgical intervention to repair the disorder. For leg length inequality, special shoes that lengthen one leg, called orthotics, can be used to even leg lengths.
Prevention
The incidence of complications related to hip replacement can be diminished with preventive measures, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Compressive stockings or devices on the legs, early mobilization after surgery, and the use of blood-thinning medicines decrease the risk of blood clots. Antibiotics are given just prior to surgery and sometimes for a period of time postoperatively to prevent infections. AAOS advises patients to take precautions not to cross their legs or bend the operative hip more than 90 degrees for days to weeks postoperatively to help stabilize the new hip. Physical therapy is recommended for several weeks after surgery to help with mobilization and to make sure the hip remains in good position.
