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Hip replacement surgery is a surgical procedure where the surgeon will replace the hip joint with a prosthetic implant. Hip replacement surgery may be performed as a half replacement or a total hip replacement surgery depending on the severity of the condition. Typically any joint replacement surgery including hip replacement surgery is relatively safe and with minimal side effects however there is always the risk of complications.

Risks Associated With Hip Replacement Surgery

• A recent study has shown that there may be a link between the use of metal implants during hip replacement surgery and cancer. This is because of the carcinogenic action between the acrylic compound that is used in a hip replacement surgery to stabilize the metal implant and the ions present in metals. However this risk is considered to be negligible.
• Another one of the side effects of hip replacement surgery is the development of blood clots in the leg veins on account of pressure on these veins during the surgery as well as reduction in mobility immediately after surgery. In such cases the doctor would prescribe certain blood thinning medications as a preventive action.
• Risks of total hip replacement surgery also include the development of infections at the surgery site or even in the deeper tissue. Minor infections can be treated by administering antibiotics however if there is a major infection near the area around the prosthesis, then surgery may have to be performed again to remove the prosthesis.
• There is also the risk of a possible fracture of the healthy sections of the hip; if this occurs on a large scale, it may require bone grafts or surgery with cables and wires to correct it.
• Risks of hip replacement surgery also include dislocation of the ball of the new joint on account of a particular position or movement. To avoid such a situation post hip replacement surgery, the individual should ensure that they do not allow their leg to cross the midline of their body and they should not bend more than 90 degrees at the hip. If the ball of the hip joint gets dislocated post surgery, then further surgery may be required to provide a long term solution.
• One of the commonly observed risks of hip replacement surgery is wear and tear of the prosthetic hip joint over a period of time which may result in the need for a second hip replacement surgery.

References

• http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/87/1/28.short