Seattle Health Blog

What complications does hip replacement have?

The infection of the prosthesis (in 100 operated one or two develop it)

- When produced in the first days or weeks is usually caused by a germ that enters the wound from the air or the skin (it is impossible to completely sterilize them, despite the operating room under aseptic conditions)

- When it appears later due to some distant source of infection. Most often from the urinary or tooth decay.

- The most common treatment of the infected prosthesis consists of extraction, treatment with antibiotics for months (part time will be administered intravenously in the neck to prevent phlebitis in the arms) and when considered eradicated the infection, implanting a prosthesis rescue. Until then the patient can walk with crutches and in many cases can support the leg with relative strength, even without hip.- In some cases surgery may be recommended cleaning only when leaving the prosthesis if the antibiotic can eliminate the infection.

Hematoma

It is the accumulation of residual blood. Superinfection can, so it must be drained, usually introduces a grooved or forceps through the wound (not usually hurt) and drains through the area. Sometimes you need to make a clean surgery.

Seroma

The same, but the fluid is an exudate of tissues (lymph, etc.)..

credit to: Dr. Roberto Palacio González, Dr. Alain Vannineuse