What are the risks of having hip replacement surgery?

My doctor tells me that I have a collasped hip and need a hip replacement. This scares me
since people tell me its a very serious surgery.

How can I deal with this situation.

The price of hip replacement surgery is very low in India as compared to USA, UK and Canada. My cousin also got her hip replacement surgery in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results. She is totally pain free now. She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company.


Forerunners Healthcare is very famous in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and magazines. I have read a lot of their patient stories also. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low price, as all joint surgery is not covered by insurance in USA or by NHS in the UK. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that your surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.

http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
Hope this helps.

This answer did not even begin to address the asker's question. It seems more like an advertisement and endorsement for getting surgery in India, not helping this asker quell her fears about having the surgery. I don't think traveling to India would alleviate any of her fears! Report It

I am due for a hip replacement in six weeks. Everyone I have talked to says they wished they had done it sooner. Yes, I am a little nervous, but I want to walk again and I am in so much pain. Of course there are risks to all surgery, but I have to believe that the benefits far outweigh them.

Total hip replacement is a major surgery, but it sounds like its one that you need to have. I work with patients every day that have had this surgery. The risks are the same as any surgery, you need to be in good health and pass a physical exam given by your doctor. The mortality rate is only 1-3% for this surgery and most patients feel relief soon after surgery and physical therapy. Try to look at the benefits of surgery. Stay in pain and discomfort or go through a period of pain to get your life back. Weight the pros and cons, talk to others that have had the surgery. Look at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Website for more information, they are a great source.

You must first get your primary physician involved and determine what needs to be done about your pulmonary situation prior to surgery.

If they feel this will be a problem, it may be time to talk to the surgeon about whether you would be a candidate for spinal anesthesia under sedation as opposed to general anestheisa. This may reduce the risk of further pulmonary complications.

Normal risks with this surgery include, but are not limited to: blood loss (which has been greatly reduced with autologus transfusion and advancement of the minimally invasive approach), blood clots, infection, failure of the prosthesis. These risks could be temporary set back, or potentially life threatening.

Hip replacement surgery is becoming more and more efficient and more and more effective...resulting in shorter hospital stays and less pain and a quicker recovery time.

I have conducted the rehabilitation of hundreds of patients who have had a total hip replacement. I can only think of about 5 who had either a "serious" complication or failure.

Get your primary physician involved, so a thorough presurgical screening can be completed.

I had hip replacement surgery in November and I think you should prepare yourself for a lengthy period of recovery. I was miserable for over a month following surgery. I had damage to the muscle that stabilizes the leg during walking and to this point, I am still not able to walk without a walker. I have been very discouraged. However, most people have better results than I have had. Ask lots of questions and be prepared to have lots of sleepless nights. There's just no way to get comfortable. I wish you all the best !!

Since THR is major surgery, some of the risks are the same as those taken by anyone who has surgery. These include, but are not limited to, the risks of undergoing anesthesia (both general anesthesia; and regional: spinal or epidural with sedation, may be used in THR surgery). For a good overview of the risks of surgery in general and ways that patients can prepare for surgery and reduce the likelihood of complications I recommend this link:
http://www.preopguide.com/
Since I had never had any kind of surgery before, I needed information such as is included here. I have had both of my hips replaced in separate surgeries.
There are several complications (I am using that term in place of "risk") that are more specific to a hip replacement. They include DVT, blood clots, infection, and dislocation of the new joint. Your surgeon will likely prescribe several measures designed to reduce the likelihood of any of these occuring - to prevent blood clots in the legs you may be given blood thinners for a few weeks, wear anti-embolic stockings, &/or wear a pneumatic device on your legs for a few days. To prevent early infection, antibiotics will be given; to prevent dislocation, your legs may be strapped into an abduction wedge while you sleep and you might be instructed to not bend the hip past 90 degrees for a time. To make it possible for you to adhere to these movement and position restrictions, you'll likely be given (and taught to use) several handy tools that allow you to do many things for yourself (such as dress & undress) without bendng past 90 deg. If you wish to read detail about this, I recommend this web page (and I recommend the site in general):
http://totaljoints.info/patient__concern...
It was developed by an ortho surgeon (in slightly fractured English translation) as a service to patients. Dr. Surin touches on just about any question a hip (and knee also) replacement patient could have.

As to how you deal with fear - I found that the most difficult time was before I committed to have the surgery. My fears actually kept me from making that first move to see a surgeon and schedule the surgery that I knew deep down I needed. Once I scheduled, then I could swing into action and get ready. People deal with fear differently. Some need to talk to others who've had the surgery. I didn't really know anyone who had it so I resorted to the internet for education. One thing that kept me sane was preparing my house for my homecoming. We had to figure out where I'd sleep, where I'd sit, move needed things to waist level so I didn't have to bend so much to reach them, put second hand rails on the stairs, get a new, higher toilet fixture, prepare meals that could be frozen and reheated easily, and other minutiae. I over-prepared but so what? It kept me busy. My other really big pre-surgery task was to quit smoking (and the pre-op guide link that I cite above was my motivation).

You'll be fine. I am so glad I had the hips done. I now can walk miles, do anything I need to, have no pain, use no cane, and take no pain meds. I consider hip replacement a sort of miracle surgery that takes people who would eventually end up in a wheelchair-bound existence and turns them back into productive, active individuals. THR is considered one of the most successful surgeries in terms of how it eliminates pain and restores function. I wish you the best.

You should listen to your doctor instead of Dr. People who do nothing but scare the wits out of you with what they "know". Discuss things very well with your doctor or even get a second opinion if you are in doubt. Forget what people say!

hey honey, you will feel like a new person when it is over and you have recovered..it is not that serious, most folk in their 50's up will need one sooner or later, no big deal