Risks

Every operation – even the most minor one – carries with it a certain element of risk that might be caused by the nature of the operation itself, the anaesthetic or the patient’s cardiovascular system. Certain types of existing illness can also increase the risk factor. Information on various significant risks is given below:

- Risks during anaesthetic

Your anaesthetist will fully inform you about such risks. Such risks are associated with every operation and depend on a variety of factors (age of the patient, secondary disorders and general state of health).

- Infections

These can occur on the surface of the wound or deeper down around the prosthesis. They are relatively seldom (<1%), but often quite serious and can occur at an early stage or even after years; you will need a course of antibiotics. In a worst case scenario, however, a follow-up operation could be needed to treat the infection.

- Late Infections

Even years after a successful joint replacement, bacteria in the bloodstream can be deposited in the region of the artificial joint, causing what is known as a “late infection”. This is why you should always take antibiotics in the following situations:

• If you have any kind of infection, especially in the mouth or the urinary organs
• If you have any operation in a contaminated area of the body (i.e. an area colonised by bacteria such as the mouth, nose, ear, gall bladder and gastrointestinal tract)

Your physician or dentist should prescribe you the antibiotics you need. Naturally if you have any questions about this, you’re welcome to get in touch with us at any time.

- Haematoma / Swelling

It can happen that bruising appears after the operation with swelling of the whole leg. As a rule the bleeding is spontaneously reabsorbed by the body. However, in extremely rare cases the haematoma may need to be removed by surgery. The swelling will disappear over the course of the next few months and can be reduced by wearing surgical stockings.

- Adhesion and calcification of the hip joint

These two effects can be responsible for a certain stiffness. If an intensive course of physiotherapy brings no improvement in flexibility, you can be given a local anaesthetic enabling your hip joint to be carefully manipulated to loosen the adhesions. This type of problem has become very rare with the advent of modern pain therapy.

- Thrombosis

The creation of a blood clot in the veins of your leg is a problem that can occur with any kind of bigger operation. Prophylactic medicines like anticoagulants or blood thinners, rapid postoperative mobilisation and the wearing of surgical stockings are only some of the measures that can be taken to drastically reduce the risks of thrombosis occurring.

- Pulmonary Embolism

Thrombosis doesn’t necessarily give warning symptoms. If the blood clot is dislodged and reaches the lungs, it can result in a potentially lethal pulmonary embolism.

Further complications which can occur include: damage to nerves and blood vessels, broken bones, calcium deposits in muscles, luxation (dislocation) or loosening of the new joint and problems in the healing of wounds.

No surgeon can ever give you an absolute warranty for success. However, taking proper prophylactic measures does mean that risks can be reduced to a strict minimum. Furthermore, before your operation you will also have an additional thorough examination to ensure that all existing illnesses are recognised and receive the best form of treatment.