Risks and Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery

Although hip replacement surgery is a very successful procedure with an over 90% chance of giving a significant improvement in hip symptoms, there is a small risk of complications at the time of your surgery or in the first few weeks after surgery.

These risks will be discussed with you at your consultation with your surgeon. But we have listed below these risks and an explanation of them.
 
Infection - there is a less than 1% risk of developing an infection in your new hip replacement. We take a number of measures to reduce the risk, including the use of antibiotics at the time of your surgery and in the 24 hour period after surgery. Your surgery will also be carried out in a ultra clean air operating theatre.

Dislocation - rarely (1-2 in 100) you may experience a dislocation of your new hip joint, if this occurs soon after your surgery, it often does not recur once the muscles around you hip strengthen. Occasionally, you may develop a hip replacement that recurrently dislocates, if this happens you may require further surgery to improve the stability of your artificial joint.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism - we take measures to reduce the chance of clots developing in your leg following your surgery. You will be given support stockings to wear and prescribed a drug to thin your blood whilst in hospital and when ready to leave hospital you will be given a 6 week supply of aspirin to take. If despite these measures, you should develop a clot and although rare, (1 in 1000) this finds its way to your heart and lungs then this can be very serious.

Blood vessel and nerve injury - this is an extremely rare complication occurring in less than 1 in 1000 but if it does occur it may lead to weakness and numbness in the lower leg that is often slow to recover.

Leg length discrepancy - It is rare for a patient to be aware of a discrepancy in their leg lengths after their surgery as usually the surgeon gets the length of the leg spot on. However if you are aware of a difference which causes problems this can be corrected with the use of a simple wedge worn inside the shoe.

It should be remembered that the chances of you having a complication with your surgery are slim and that the majority of these if they do occur can be dealt with.

Your surgeon will discuss things with you prior to your operation and highlight any risks that your surgery or medical condition pose.