Hip Replacement Surgery
Like any surgery, hip replacement surgery will carry some risk. The key is to choose an experienced orthopedic surgeon who will minimize your risk of complications. During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will apprise you of the potential risks and help you make an informed choice.
Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute, led by board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven C. Thomas and Dr. Gregory T. Bigler, provides hip replacement surgery to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV.
Potential Risks and Complications
Blood Clotting
Following the hip replacement surgery, clot formation may occur in the leg veins. In rare cases, this can be life-threatening if a piece of clot breaks off and travels to the lung or brain. Blood thinning medications prescribed by your surgeon will reduce this risk.
Infection
Infections could develop at the incision site or the deeper tissue close to your hip implant. Infections are mostly treated with antibiotics, but if a severe infection occurs near your prosthesis, it could necessitate a revision surgery.
Fracture
A healthy part of your hip joint could fracture during the hip replacement surgery. Fractures can sometimes be minor, which will heal on their own over time. However, for a bigger fracture, your surgeon may need to correct it with pins, wires, metal plate, or bone grafting.
Dislocation
The ball of your new hip joint may get dislodged in certain positions, particularly, in the first few months following your hip replacement surgery. In case of hip dislocation, your surgeon will fit you with a brace so that the hop stays in its appropriate position. If the hip continues to dislocate, you may need a surgery to stabilize it.
Difference in Leg Length
Despite the steps taken by your surgeon, on rare occasions, your new hip could make one leg shorter or longer than the other. This is sometimes caused by a muscular contracture surrounding the hip joint. Progressive stretching and strengthening of those muscles could help improve the condition.
Loosening
This complication rarely occurs with new and advanced hip implants, but in rare cases, the new joint may not be strongly fixed to the hip bone, or may loosen over time. This will create pain in the hip, and a revision surgery may be required to fix the problem.
Structural Damage around the Joint
Any of the soft tissue, such as tendons, ligaments or muscles around the hip may get damaged during the surgery. In exceptional situations, damage may also occur to the surrounding nerves, veins, or arteries. This can cause weakness or numbness in the affected leg.
Second Hip Replacement
Your hip implant may eventually wear out. Therefore, if you have undergone hip replacement surgery while you are relatively young, chances are that you may eventually require a second hip replacement. But new and advanced implant materials are increasing the longevity of the results, and this risk may be minimal.
Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada as well as greater Pahrump, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu, and Mesquite, NV for hip replacement surgery.
For More Information
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board-certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. Contact the office today click here.
Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada.