Hip Surgery Risks and Complications

Hip surgery can be painful and debilitating. It is not only a burden for the patient, but also for the patient’s family or care-takers. Besides the obvious costs associated with hospitalization, surgery suites, surgeons, scrub nurses, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation, there are many risks and complications associated with hip surgery.

• Risk of infection – both after surgery as well as later if bacteria in the blood “seed” and grow on the prosthesis.
• Increased risk of stroke
• Significantly increased risk of heart attack
• Wear particles causing high levels of metal ions in the blood stream
• Risk of blood clots in the legs (DVT) and/or lungs (PE)
• Painful post-surgical recovery
• Prolonged rehabilitation
• Allergies to the metal used
• Limited range of motion and activity level
• Recurrent dislocations if the replacement is not placed properly
• Failure of the hip prosthesis
• Continued hip pain despite hip replacement