Risks and Complications

There are risks and complications involved in any surgery. In addition, total hip replacements and hip resurfacing have their own risks and potential complications.

Risks related to ANY surgery:

Risk of anesthesia

Bleeding

Infection

Blood clots

Pulmonary embolism

Death

Risks and complications relative to total hip replacements and hip resurfacing:

Fracture of the femur

Nerve injury

Deep vein thrombosis

Leg length discrepancies

Dislocation

Traditional THR (22-32mm femoral head): 2-4% risk for first hip replacement with a 1% increase every 5 years to a maximum of 7% at 25 years. 14-15% risk after revision to a second hip replacement.

Large head THR & resurfaced hip (38-51mm femoral head): Risk less than 1% (i.e. .3%)

Heterotopic ossification (Growth of excess bone around the joint)

more HO Study PowerPoint

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) (Applies only to hip resurfacing)

Loosening of the prosthesis

Osteolysis (Particulate debris from the wearing of components)