Complex left hip replacement

Hi Lindsey I'm recovering from hip surgery after falling on ice. I had 2 operations to fix my hip, and both times the surgeon told me the same about chances of death. It's standard procedure now to inform the patient about all the things that could go wrong. The first operation i was to spaced out on morphine to care, and the second i thought everything went fine on the first so the second will be fine to.

Dear Lindsey

I'm sure you have nothing to be too concerned about but it is perfectly normal!

You say that it is a complex hip replacement so can you tell us a bit more please and what exactly is being done.

Cheers Richard

Hello ,

😊My revision was complex.I realized that my surgeon was very skilled had a great team and a attitude that all the painful issues I had with the primary prosthesis will be repaired. It was replaced with a new prosthesis . Recovery went well a little longer and a little tougher now it's over and my quality of life is so much better . The pain and worry is gone and my whole family is relieved. Most of all I can do all the things I enjoy and you will too! There is so much to look foreword to.

Its so hard on us from beginning to end. So many things ahead for recovery and healing. 

Sending you healing blessings & a big hug! 🤗

  .

Death is very unlikely.  A 2% chance is nothing.  There is no guarantee that even 2 out of 100 will die.  All surgeries have a CHANCE of death.

There are many risks, but then there are lots of risks in life anyway, crossing the road, choking on food, and so on. I did put a comparison list of surgery risks on my website in the  "Complications" page. In the literature I received, death due to the spinal is rated at 1 in 91,000 there were no figures for death due to the operation itself as the risk is so small.

I had some hearing loss and low blood pressure initially, both returned to normal after a few days. My hearing is as sharp as ever now and despite having to have revision a few weeks later, I am still here to tell the tale.

The website address is in my personal info here ...

   https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

   https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃 🤸    ¯\_(?)_/¯

I think they probably use 2% as standard as they have to warn people of everything nowadays. Presumably the people who do die have a lot of other things wrong with them as well and are possibly very elderly.

What complexities have you got? I had several cysts and my hip was classified as level 4 which means it was in a bad way. I had a brilliant surgeon. I had a spinal with no sedation so was able to know what was going on and it was really nice to hear how unruffled and organised everything seemed to be. 

Lindsey, relax. Not 2%. More like 0.2%

The mortality rate after total hip replacement is approximately 0.25 percent, according to a report by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals in Great Britain. A 1999 study by four doctors at the Mayo Clinic found a mortality rate of 0.08 percent among clinic patients who underwent hip replacement surgery.Jul 22, 2007

I had a Bi lateral THR on Jan 19 using the Anterior approach.  They told me similar risk information and signed many risk papers.  Operation went perfect, was walking next day with walker. I am now walking with one cane. So far had( 8 )PT sessions  with personnel which you should continue on off days on your own.

I continued to take pain meds for 16 days, I am now using just Tylenol. Pain Meds is what makes PT possible,  after each PT exercises the pain would increase. I have gone from a helping hand by PT personnel on leg lifts to no help. Each day Gets Better it just takes time. 

I am 60  weight 150 and I am a active swimmer.  I trained by swimming 4 days a week.  It’s a easy operation that you will be happy you had it done. Just be positive and follow the PT personnel to get back on track. Good Luck.  

Hi lindsey,

I just want you to know that you are not the only one to have those hip issues.  When I was born there was no socket for the hip.  I had one surgery at the age of 5 and refused to allow them to do any more until just recently.  My bad hip made the affected leg nearly an inch shorter than the good hip side.  In December I had a total hip replacement because the pain of the bone grinding on bone had become unbearable.  I had the spinal and sedation, not general anesthesia.  My biggest problem has been getting the affected leg working again.  It took a month for me to be able to lift my operated leg into bed.  I am still struggling with the mobility in the surgical leg even 9 weeks post-op.  But physical therapy has been a great help and while improvement is slow my legs are working better.  The pain from having the bad leg being stretched was not near as bad as the pain from the degrading hip joint.  If you have a shorter leg it takes a long time for your body to become accustomed to your legs being even but the body adapts. 

I wish you all the best.  Don't push yourself the first couple months.  This kind of surgery requires a longer recovery time than a typical replacement surgery.  But it does get better.

You'll have a sore throat and it will take longer for you to be fully awake but those are the main differences.  The spinal shot doesn't last that long.  I was already feeling my toes when I woke up and my surgery took about 3 1/2 hours. 

Hi Lindsey! I know I'm a bit late on the reply but wondering how your Complex Replacement went? I under went a Complex THR on my right side on the 19th of December. 

?I'm currently still on crutches and not walking on my own yet. Just wondering how you're coping since the op.

?Katie