Hip Joint Replacement Surgery Risks : Purpose, Procedure & Recovery

Many patients between the age of fifty and eighty face mobility issues due to joint pain. The individuals have an issue with the hip that causes the mobility issues. The doctor may suggest a hip joint replacement surgery if other methods fail to relieve the pain and discomfort. It is the last resort for people suffering from severe pain that hinders with the daily activities. It is suggested for the patients suffering from the following:

• Osteoarthritis
• Osteonecrosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Injuries To Hip
• Bone Tumors

The hip replacement surgery can relieve the pain and increase the mobility. It also improves the quality of life. With advanced technology, young people also consider the option of hip replacement surgery for better mobility and pain relief.

Hip Joint Replacement Surgery Procedure

During the hip replacement surgery, the surgeon replaced the damaged section of the hip joints. The artificial joint placed is usually constructed from hard plastic, metal or ceramics. So, the prosthesis can help the patients overcome the pain and improve the hip function. Depending on the severity of the problem, the doctor can adopt the following procedures:

Total Hip Joint Replacement Surgery

As the name suggests, it replaces the entire hip structure with the artificial joints. The surgeon replaces the femur with the ball, insert hip stem, and place artificial cup instead of the sockets. It is the most common type of hip replacement surgery.

Partial Hip Joint Replacement Surgery

It involves replacing just a part of the hip to overcome pain. Also known as hemiarthroplasty, it corrects the hip fracture that can happen at the femur neck. The surgery mostly replaces the head of the femur with a ball while the cup or socket (acetabulum) remains untouched.

Hip Resurfacing

It is mostly recommended for patients suffering from arthritis or younger patients. The young patients have a chance to outlive the implant, which may lead to needing another surgery. So, the procedure delays the total hip replacement surgery. The hip resurfacing surgery involves resurfacing the head of the femur. So, it avoids removing it completely. The surgeon only places the artificial cup in place of the socket.

Hip Joint Replacement Surgery risks

Any surgery has a small percentage of risk involved. The hip joint replacement surgery also has some risks that the patient’s needs to know:

Infection

The site of the incision and the deeper tissue of the artificial hip is prone to infections. Therefore, patients need to take antibiotics to treat the infections. But, the severe infection near the prosthesis is a serious matter. Patients require another surgery to replace it and prevent complications.

Blood Clots

It is a risk involved in surgery. Blood clots can form in the veins on the patient’s legs known as deep vein thrombosis. It can travel to the lung or brain and cause fatal complication to the health. The doctor may suggest taking blood thinning medication to avoid the risk.

Dislocation

The new joint’s ball may become dislodged due to certain positions. It is a common risk the patients need to face in the initial months after the hip replacement surgery. The doctor may fit the affected patients with a brace to correct the position of the dislocated hip. The frequent dislocation requires surgery to correct it.

Fracture

It is possible for the healthy hip portion to suffer a fracture during the surgery. The small fractures heal on its own without any assistance. The larger fracture gets corrected with metal plates, wires, pins, and bone grafts.

Loosening Of Implants

The complication can occur over time. The artificial joint can loosen causing pain. It may also happen if the new joint if not fixed properly to the bones. In such cases, a corrective surgery is necessary to fix the issue.

Change In Leg Length

An experienced surgeon takes adequate measures to avoid the problem. But, in some cases after the hip replacement surgery, one leg becomes shorter or longer than the other. The main reason for the issue is the hardening or shortening of the muscles around the hip area.

Wearing Of Prosthetics

As time progresses, the prosthetic may suffer wear and tear. So, the patients need another surgery to replace the worn joints.

Recovery

The patients undergoing the hip replacement surgery need to spend at least 4-6 days in the hospital. Mostly the patients stay on complete bedrest. A wedge-shaped cushion placed between the legs of the patients keeps the artificial hip joint in the place. The patients need to undergo physical therapy the very next day after the surgery. Patients need to start walking with the help of a cane, crutches or walker to improve the strength. The physical therapy session is continued for several weeks or months to ensure better movement. The patient’s need the follow-up appointment with their doctor after 6 to 12 weeks. It ensures the hip is healing well and record the progression of recovery.

The hip replacement surgery is the best option for patients who have experienced failure of other treatment methods. It can eliminate the pain and enhance mobility. It is always advised to talk to the doctor about the grievances and concerns before opting for the surgery.