Also known as total hip replacement, total hip arthroplasty involves removing a hip joint diseased by arthritis or injured through trauma to the hip. A surgeon places a hip prostheses made of metal or ceramic and then inserts a liner to the hip made of plastic, ceramic or metal. As with many surgical procedures, hip arthroplasty comes with both risks and rewards.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Also known as blood clots in the leg veins, deep vein thrombosis occurs due to poor circulation. Because a patient often is immobile following surgery, a blood clot can develop, which can dislodge in the veins and cause a pulmonary embolism. The pulmonary embolism can cut off blood flow to the lungs and other organs, which can cause significant damage to the lungs and even death.
Infection
Because the hip replacement procedure requires making incisions and inserting surgical instruments deep within the body, this can result in infection. Bacteria can infiltrate the open wound during surgery, which is why intravenous antibiotics may be administered during surgery. If an infection occurs inside the body's tissues or bones, this can cause serious problems and require further surgery to treat the infection. It is also possible that an infection can occur at the incision site, which results in symptoms such as fever, redness, swelling or drainage at the incision site.
Artifical Joint Malfunction
While the hip replacement should be carefully lodged in the pelvic bone with screws, it is possible for the replacement to loosen due to activity, screw placement or weight. If this occurs, the replacement may cause pain and swelling. These symptoms can require further surgery to better secure the implant.
Pain or Stiffness
While hip replacement is utilized with a goal of reducing pain and improving function, it is possible that the hip will not return to a previous level of functioning. If patients do not receive an implant that utilizes cement to secure the joint, it is possible for pain in the mid-thigh to occur up to 24 months following surgery, according to hipsandknees.com. If a patient had a significant level of deterioration in the hip joint prior to surgery, stiffness is more likely to occur.
Change in Leg Length
While precautions are taken during surgery to ensure the leg length remains the same, it is possible for a surgeon to lengthen a leg to better stabilize the hip or offer improved muscle function. Sometimes patients describe a sensation that the leg where the hip has been replaced is longer than the other leg, even if it actually is not. As the patient acclimates to the leg length, the replacement and leg length should begin to feel more natural over time, according to hipsandknees.com.
