Hip replacement surgery

UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS
As with all major surgery, there are certain risks and complications. Hip replacement surgery is major surgery, and often requires prolonged anaesthesia, and frequently requires blood transfusion. Naturally there is a possibility of a major complication, and complications can be life threatening.

Deep incision infection occurs in less than two percent of the cases, but if it occurs it may require removal of the implant and a prolonged hospital stay. Although a hip replacement can be reimplanted, and is usually successful, this can result in permanent disability. Infection is a rare complication and we take extreme precautions to avoid this problem. Antibiotics are administered intravenously during and after the operation.

Delayed infection has been reported years after a hip replacement, and appears to be related to the ability of the implants, in general, to harbour bacteria transported by the blood stream from other sites in the body. Bladder or kidney infections are the most common source of these delayed infections, but dental abscesses, infected ingrown toe nails, bacterial sinus infections or skin infections may also be a significant danger to a hip replacement. Surgical procedures in areas that cannot be thoroughly cleaned can also cause delayed hip infections. This office should be contacted if infection is suspected in any area. If dental surgery, bladder surgery, bowel surgery or rectal surgery is planned, the physician or dentist should institute protective antibiotics.

Blood clots can develop in the deep veins of the leg after surgery, and can be transported to the lungs. Care is taken to encourage early activity and patients are protected further by use of anticoagulants (blood thinners) after surgery.

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