What are the risks of hip replacement surgery?
Fortunately, the overall probability of a good outcome is high and the overall risks
are low.  These are the possible but unlikely complications:
  • Blood clots in the leg veins are the most common complication of hip
    replacement surgery.  Usually support hose, inflatable leg coverings, calf
    exercises, and blood thinners are used to help prevent this.
  • Blood clots in the lung vessels are rare but can be life threatening and similar
    preventative measures are prescribed.
  • Leg-length inequality (i.e. one leg is longer than the other) may occur and some
    people may feel more comfortable wearing a shoe lift after surgery.
  • Dislocation can occur in up to 5% of cases nationwide but this risk can be
    significantly decreased with special surgical approaches and techniques.
  • Fracture and  nonunion (nonhealing fracture) are uncommon and are largely
    prevented with certain techniques and precautions.
  • Joint infection can be a major complication but this usually occurs in less than
    2% of surgeries.
  • A new or continued limp is relatively uncommon.
  • Hip stiffness may occasionally occur which could be caused by abnormal bone
    growth (heterotopic ossification) in the muscle and tissues that surround the hip
    joint.
  • Nerve injury resulting in partial paralysis and nerve pain is possible but fairly
    rare.
  • Bleeding does happen and occasionally a blood transfusion is needed.
  • Blood vessel injury is possible but also very rare.
  • New, unexplained or continued hip pain is very uncommon.
  • Wearing out and loosening of the implant can occur over the years but is likely
    to be less common with improved implant materials.
  • Need for future surgery
  • Major medical complications:  heart attack, stroke, or death are very rare since
    a thorough medical evaluation is completed prior to this planned, elective
    surgery.
  • Anesthesia risks

Although uncommon, when these complications occur they can prolong or limit a
patient’s full recovery.
Juan C. Frisancho, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery
Joint Replacement