Hip Replacement Risks and Complications (and How We Reduce Them)

This guide is for educational purposes—always discuss your personal risk profile with your surgeon.

Hip replacement risks and complications are uncommon, but understanding them—and how we prevent them—is essential to making an informed decision. Total hip replacement is one of the most successful and life‑changing surgeries in modern medicine, with success rates commonly exceeding 90%. However, like any major procedure, it carries risks. A crucial part of your decision‑making is understanding potential complications and—equally important—the evidence‑based steps we take to minimize them.

This guide provides a transparent overview of the risks associated with hip replacement and the comprehensive strategy we use to support your safety and a successful outcome.

Hip Replacement Risks and Complications: Common Frequencies

Serious complications are uncommon. The risks below are proactively managed throughout your surgical journey.

• Infection (~0.5–1.5%): May occur superficially in the wound or deep around the implant.
• Dislocation/instability (~1–3%): The ball can come out of the socket, especially in the first months. Risk is lowered by precise component positioning, soft‑tissue balancing, and following hip precautions.
• Blood clots (DVT/PE): A clot can form in the leg (DVT) and travel to the lungs (PE). Risk is low with modern prevention.
• Fracture or nerve/vascular injury: Rare; more likely with very fragile bone or complex anatomy.
• Leg‑length difference: Small differences can occur. Often unnoticeable; if symptomatic, a shoe insert typically helps.
• Wound/blood issues: Oozing or transfusion needs; reduced with tranexamic acid (TXA) and meticulous hemostasis.
• Long‑term issues: Wear or loosening over many years may require revision (redo) surgery; risk influenced by activity level, implant choice, and alignment.

Our Proactive Strategy: How We Reduce Your Risk

These measures have been shown to lower hip replacement risks and complications across large patient groups. Patient safety is our priority—before, during, and after surgery.

• Preventing infection: Pre‑op antibiotics, laminar‑flow operating theatres, strict sterile technique, and treating dental/skin/urinary infections before surgery.
• Preventing blood clots: Tailored blood‑thinner prophylaxis, compression stockings, and same‑day walking to promote circulation.
• Ensuring stability & correct length: Precise implant alignment and soft‑tissue balancing (with computer/robotic assistance when helpful) to lower dislocation and leg‑length issues.
• Minimizing blood loss: TXA and modern anesthesia protocols reduce bleeding and transfusion rates.
• Patient optimization: Diabetes control, smoking cessation, weight management, nutrition, and pre‑habilitation improve outcomes and healing.

Urgent “Red‑Flag” Symptoms — Call Your Surgeon Immediately

While you heal, know the warning signs that need urgent care:

• Fever >38.5°C, chills, increasing wound redness/swelling, or foul drainage
• Severe calf pain/tenderness or swelling (possible DVT)
• Sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (possible pulmonary embolism)
• A “popping” sensation followed by inability to bear weight (possible dislocation)

If a Complication Occurs — What’s the Plan?

• Infection: Superficial infections are treated with antibiotics; deep infections may require surgical washout and, rarely, staged revision.
• Dislocation: Often treated with a closed reduction (putting the hip back in place under sedation), followed by bracing/physio; recurrent instability may need revision.
• DVT/PE: Managed with anticoagulation and medical monitoring.

Who Is at Higher Risk (And Why)

Most people do very well after hip replacement, but certain conditions raise risk. Knowing them helps us plan extra safeguards. Higher‑risk profiles include: poorly controlled diabetes (infection risk), smoking (slower wound healing), obesity (wound issues, thrombosis), immune suppression (steroids, chemo, biologics), rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, malnutrition/low albumin, prior hip infection or multiple operations, severe deformity, and very fragile bone/osteoporosis. Age alone is not a contraindication—many older adults do extremely well—but we individualize anesthesia, bone support, and early‑mobilization plans. During your consultation, we review every factor and build a prevention plan tailored to you.

Pre‑ and Post‑Op Habits That Lower Risk

Simple habits make a measurable difference. Before surgery, stop smoking, keep skin/dental hygiene excellent, optimize blood sugar with your physician (A1c target per your team), and start a light pre‑hab program (quads/glutes, gentle gait drills). After surgery, follow the prescribed dose and duration of blood thinners, walk short distances multiple times daily, and use compression if advised. Keep the wound clean and dry per instructions, watch for red‑flag symptoms, and stick to your physio schedule to regain motion and balance. Good nutrition (adequate protein, hydration) supports healing, and avoiding high‑risk movements in the early phase reduces dislocation risk. These practical steps—combined with our sterile protocols, TXA for blood conservation, and accurate implant alignment—help keep complications rare and recovery on track.

Related Reading

• Hip replacement success rate and longevity
• Hip replacement cost in India (what’s included, insurance)
• Hip replacement recovery: week‑by‑week milestones
• Hip replacement in Karol Bagh (service page & consultation)

References (open‑access summaries)

• NICE Guideline: Joint replacement
• AAOS OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement

Disclaimer: This is general educational information and not a substitute for personalized medical advice.