Possible Complications of Hip Replacement Surgery Baltimore

More than half a million people in the United States will have hip replacement surgery Baltimore this year.  For the most part, orthopedic surgeries are among the most common and safest operations available.  Most individuals who receive an artificial hip joint will go on to experience a greatly improved quality of life, with reduced pain and increased mobility.

Hip Replacement Surgery Complications

In a few cases of hip replacement surgery Baltimore MD, there will be one or more complications.

• Inflammation and swelling are pretty normal after an orthopedic surgery.  These symptoms are normally relatively transient and can be adequately controlled with medications and hot or cold packs.  When inflammation persists over more than a few weeks, however, it is possibly a sign of infection and should be evaluated.
• A sudden increase in tenderness in the calf of either leg can indicate a blood clot.  Blood clots sometimes form after surgery because the patient is not moving around enough.  A suspected blood clot is a medical emergency because it can be fatal if it travels to the heart.
• One leg may end up being shorter than the other.  It is sometimes necessary for surgeons to make the operative leg a slightly different length in order to optimize the fit of the prosthetic joint.  The disparity in length between the patient's two legs is often corrected easily with orthotic shoe inserts.
• Individuals who had very limited flexibility in their hip joint before surgery are more likely to develop scar tissue around the prosthetic device.  This can lead to possibly having less post-surgical mobility than a typical patient.
• Many hip replacement procedures use a specialized bone cement to fix the prosthesis in place.   A limited number of patients have an allergy to this medical adhesive.
• In very rare cases, folks experience more hip pain after their surgery.  This is considered a clinical failure of the surgery, and may require a revision of the hip replacement.  About 11% of hip replacement patients are re-admitted to the hospital after their initial discharge.
• Overall, this type of surgery is very safe, with less than 1% of patients dying for any reason related directly to the operation.