The hip operation: complications and how to avoid them

The hip operation is one of the most important surgical advances of the last century. The procedure is quite safe, as long as the necessary precautions are taken.

The complications that may arise are usually due to the general condition of the patient, to the implants used and their placement or to the surgical technique used by the surgeon.

Hip arthroplasty can be implanted to all patients who need it, as long as there is no factor, either age or associated diseases that pose a vital risk.

What risks exist before a hip operation?

The most common complications of a hip operation are dislocation or dislocation (between 1 and 4%), infection (around 1%) and deep venous thrombosis (below 0.5%).

There are other risks, such as neurovascular lesions or intraoperative fractures that depend on several factors.

Why can a rejection occur?

The rejection of the hip prosthesis is usually due to an infection. The germs are installed between the implant and the bone, which prevents osseointegration.

There are diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis etc that have more risk of rejection. In case this rejection is not due to an infection, it may be due to the quality of the implant, the placement or the condition of the patient's bone.

How to avoid the complications of a hip operation?

The most effective methods to avoid all these complications are the correct placement of the implants, prevent infections through preoperative antibiotics, perform decolonization programs, prevent thromboembolic disease, the use of heparin to avoid blood clots and early mobilization of the patient.

This set of techniques makes the hip operation an increasingly safe procedure , although not exempt at 100% complications.