In the United States, nearly 200,000 hip replacement surgeries are held annually. More than 90% have succeeded without complications of hip replacement during surgery or after surgery. However, as with all surgery, the risk of complications is always possible. However, complications are rare and often reversible.
Older people have high risk of complications. For people over 80 years old, the probability of developing at least one complication after hip replacement surgery is 20%.
Hip joint replacement complication during surgery
Nerve damage
Since the sciatic nerve is close to the capsule of the hip joint, there is a danger of incorrect surgical cutting. This same nerve may stretch excessively during hip joint operation during surgery.
Depending on the extent of nerve damage, temporary or permanent damage may occur. Muscular strength and sensation may be lost to a part of the leg. Recovery may take up to 6 months. Most patients have some numbness around the incision site and may be permanent.
Vascular damage
Damage involves direct trauma to the blood vessels in the area of surgery. A broken blood vessel can be repaired by a vascular surgeon if it is captured in time.
Femoral fracture
Force is applied during surgery. This can cause a fracture of the femoral shaft, especially in elderly or osteoporotic patients. Again, the problem is addressed during surgery, but there is a possibility that it leads to expanded rehabilitation. While you are walking, the surgeon may put weight restrictions.
Leg length mismatch
In some cases it may be difficult to obtain the same leg length. The result is usually the long leg of the surgical hip. There are unavoidable things to improve muscle function and to stabilize the hip joint. Shoes lift may be necessary if difference is more than one quarter.
In some patients, both legs are exactly the same length, but I believe that the "feet" of the surgical legs will be longer. In most cases, this "emotion" disappears to the patient according to the new hip joint.
In rare cases the legs become shorter. If legs are significantly shortened after surgery, there is a possibility that they are deviating.
Anesthetic complication
Complications may occur, and in rare cases it may result in death. Your anesthesiologist will explain the risks involved before surgery.
Postoperative hip joint replacement complication
Thrombus (DVT - deep vein thrombosis)
This is one of the most common complications of hip replacement surgery. The most common area is the calves. An increase in foot pain is usually the most prominent symptom. Redness around the clot may also occur. It is a small problem if blood clots remain in the legs. However, when they drop out, they may reach the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and possibly die (rarely).
If your surgeon doubts the thrombus, he immediately orders ultrasound to confirm or eliminate thrombus. Most surgeons order rest at bed until the test results return to positive or negative thrombus. He prescribes blood thinner. Movement of compression boots and ankles / legs helps to reduce the possibility of thrombosis.
infection
Infection may occur during surgery or it may occur afterwards. It is one of the most serious risks of joint replacement surgery. If the infection is deposited deep into the joint and the surrounding tissue, new joints must often be removed until the infection is eliminated by treatment. If a patient develops infections elsewhere in the body (bladder, teeth, chest), it must be controlled to prevent the possibility of infecting new joints through the blood.
People with rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, or those taking long-term cortisone, tend to become infected several weeks after surgery.
The infection may last many years after surgery. Bacteria can pass the bloodstream from infections of other parts of the body (bladder infection, infection scarring, kidney infection). Oral antibiotics should be collected before and after routine dental work after hip replacement surgery.
Hip dislocation
The first 6 weeks after hip replacement is the most vulnerable period of the new hip joint. Meanwhile, muscle tension is the only thing that holds the metal ball in the socket. When the metal ball slides down from the socket, the ball is displaced. When the hip muscle recovers its force and the scar tissue returns around the ball, the risk of hip dislocation decreases.
In traditional hip replacement surgery, certain attention needs to be paid for at least the first 6 weeks, and some position / movement needs to be restricted. Your surgeon and physical therapist will tell you your precautionary precautions. Basically, the notes are as follows.
- Please do not turn your toes inward
- Do not cross your legs
- Do not bend hips above 60-90 degrees (When sitting, make sure your knees are not level with your waist)
If a dislocation occurs, call the ambulance and take you to the hospital. Your surgeon pops the hips back to their original location. In case of frequent occurrence, hip braces worn for several months prevent further dislocation. Hip replacement surgery using the anterior approach eliminates the need for hip joint prevention or position / motion restriction.
People who are overweight or weak in muscles tend to fall over. Avoid heavy exercise giving too much stress to your new hips (run, basketball, tennis, heavy lifting). Instead, please participate in activities such as walking, swimming and stationary bicycles.
Tropical disease problems
Your greater trove occupies most of the femur and is under and outside the hip ball. Many of your big hip muscles stick to fallers, so it is essential for normal hip function.
During lateral approach surgery, a fallen person is removed to access the hip joint. Then reconnect. If the trochanter does not heal when returning to the femur, it remains as a separate part. This can result in pain, weakness, and loss of hip function.
Intestinal complications
Constipation occurs frequently as the first week after surgery. This may be caused by medication, immobility, loss of appetite, not having enough body fluids. Stool softeners or enemas may be required.
Urine problem
A catheter can be inserted during surgery. Because catheters are at high risk of urinary tract infection, the doctor instructs removal promptly and promptly.
Hematoma formation
During surgery, the main area of bleeding is controlled by cauterization. However, as blood and body fluids ooze out, drainage will adhere to the outside of the body from the wound. If drainage does not function as planned, blood and body fluid gather at the lumbar region. This may be pain, pressure, and infection. The surgeon may return to surgery to drain the hematoma.
Loose prosthesis
The more hard your bones are, the more your hip replacement will last. Hard bones make a strong bond. People with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis are more dangerous.
Running and heavy shock activity can also loosen the bonding of the implant. This will give you more heavy stress on your hip joints, so please keep your weight low. All pounds you get will add 3 pounds of force to your hip.
Please select surgeon who performed many hip replacement surgery. Talk to some of the previous patients and check the movement after their hip replacement surgery. Not all surgeons are the same. I saw some hip revisions that were necessary only because the first hip replacement was done inadequately by the first surgeon.
Tenderness
Immediately after your hip replacement surgery, you may be spending considerable time in bed. If you spend a long time in one position, you will have tenderness. It is very sensitive to your heel, especially to your surgical legs. A pillow or towel roll under your child rabbit floats your heel and relieves pressure. Elderly people tend to be particularly wounded because the skin is soft and does not move about. Near eyes should be kept in the heel and coccyx part, and you should periodically change the bed position with a pillow.
Complications of blood transfusion
All blood used for blood transfusion is screened for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, syphilis, human T cell leukemia virus and AIDS virus. However, infection still occurs. Hemolytic transfusion reactions occur due to incompatibility with donor's blood type. The most common cause of a hemolytic transfusion reaction is a secret mistake (specimen is incorrect or incorrectly identifies a patient receiving blood).
If you plan to use your blood for blood transfusion, it's a good idea to tell your doctor beforehand. Your blood can only be stored for 35 days. Collect should start at least 10-14 days before surgery. The final collection will take place 5 business days prior to the operation day. Your blood will also be screened.
About hip revision surgery
Most people who have undergone hip replacement surgery do not need to replace artificial joints. However, as young age has increased hip replacement surgery, problems may arise when wearing the joint surface. Replacement of artificial joints (revision surgery) is becoming more common after wear and tears of 15 to 20 years. Modified surgery does not get as good results as the first surgery.
Consider all hip replacement complications before you decide the operation. This may not be a complete risk list, as there may be rare complications not mentioned here.
