Blood clots - A DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a blood clot in a vein. These may present as red, painful and swollen legs. The risks of a DVT are greater after any surgery (and especially bone surgery). A DVT can pass in the blood stream and be deposited in the lungs (causing a pulmonary embolism – see below). This is a very serious condition, which affects your breathing. To limit the risk we give you medications (tablets or as an injection) to thin the blood, and ask you to wear stockings on your legs to keep blood circulating around the leg. Starting to walk and getting moving is one of the best ways to reduce the risks of blood clots from forming.

Bleeding - This is usually small and can be stopped in the surgery. However, large amounts of bleeding may need a blood transfusion or iron tablets. Rarely, the bleeding may form a blood collection or large bruise within the wound which may become painful and require surgery to remove it.

Pain - The hip will be sore after the surgery. If you are in pain, it is important to tell staff so that pain medicines can be given. Pain will improve with time. Rarely, pain will be a long-term problem.

Prosthesis wear - The mean lifespan of a Total Hip Replacement is over 15 years. However some implants last significantly less. The loosening reason is often unknown. If it is due to an infection, this may require implant removal and revision surgery

Altered leg length - The operated leg may appear shorter or longer than the other. This rarely requires surgery to correct the difference, or may require shoe implants.

Joint dislocation - The new hip is less stable than your original hip. If the hip does dislocate, the joint may be put back into place without the need for surgery. If not, surgery is required and a hip brace is worn. Rarely if the hip keeps dislocating, a revision surgery may be necessary.

Dissatisfaction - Between 7% and 15% of patients are dissatisfied after total hip arthroplasty (THA), with the main causes being related to continued pain and unfulfilled expectations regarding restoration of function. Your mental health can also have a big impact on your satisfaction after your operation. You should talk with your surgeon about your expectations as they will be able to guide you and provide advice.

Intraoperative fracture - Sometimes, the femur can fracture before, during or after hip replacement surgery. For those that occurred prior to surgery, it seems that a total hip replacement, with custom components, was enough to take care of it. Most periprosthetic fractures occur after a patient has been living with a hip replacement for several years. Most cases of periprosthetic hip fractures require surgery. Your surgeon will discuss your treatment options with you in greater detail after assessing the extent of the injury, the quality of the remaining bone and your overall health.

Keloid: The wound may become red, painful and thickened scar especially in Afro-Caribbean people. Massaging the scar with cream when it has healed may help.

Nerve injury - Nerves around the hip are at risk. This may cause temporary or permanent altered sensation or weakness along the leg.

Bone injury - The thigh bone may be broken when the implant (metal replacement) is put in. This may require fixing at the time or at a later surgery.

Vessel damage - The blood vessels around the hip may rarely be damaged. This may require further surgery by the vascular surgeons.

Pulmonary embolism - This is a consequence of a DVT. It is a blood clot that spreads to the lungs and can make breathing very difficult, and may be fatal.

Death - This can occur from any of the above complications

Myocardial Infarction - Myocardial infarction (MI), also known as a heart attack, has a reported 30-day incidence between 0.3% to 0.9% after a hip replacement. A heart attack is a serious medical emergency in which the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. Symptoms include chest pain, an overwhelming feeling of anxiety, sweating, lightheadedness and more. While the most common symptom in both men and women is chest pain, women are more likely to have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling or being sick and back or jaw pain. A heart attack is a medical emergency. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect a heart attack.

Cerebrovascular Accident - Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the medical term for a stroke. A stroke is when blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either by a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel. Stroke symptoms include: difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination, difficulty speaking or understanding others who are speaking, numbness or paralysis in the face, leg, or arm, most likely on just one side of the body, blurred or darkened vision or a sudden headache, especially when accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or dizziness. The symptoms of a stroke can vary depending on the individual and where in the brain it has happened. Symptoms usually appear suddenly, even if they’re not very severe, and they may become worse over time. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you suspect a stroke.