Signs of a Failing Hip Replacement

A Hip Replacement Surgery Hip is an excellent source of pain relief for many individuals who complain of chronic hip pain as a result of a condition called Avascular Necrosis of the Hip. Such individuals not only have severe pain in the hip but also find it extremely difficult to do any activities of daily living or ambulate any distances as a result of pain in the hip. The pain may be at times so severe that it may radiate down the groin to the extremities. A hip replacement is considered as a last resort for symptom relief when all other forms of treatment have failed to relieve the symptoms.

Usually, like every other artificial implant, the replaced hip also has a life span after which the components of the new hip start to become loose and this requires further surgical interventions. Normally, the life span of a hip replacement is anywhere between 15-20 years. However, sometimes the hip replacement starts to fail much before that time making further surgeries mandatory for the patient.

The metal-on-metal hip components up until recently were believed to be quite long lasting and reliable; however, the friction that occurs between the metallic components due to normal wear and tear of daily activities results in them wearing down much before the stipulated time. This wearing down of the metal components of the artificial hip joint results in release of Cobalt and Chromium into the bloodstream. There have been many cases where individuals have suffered an immune or allergic reaction to these metals causing a variety of symptoms like pain, fluid retention, muscle and bone destruction and hip dislocation making the condition worse for the patient.

Additionally, the friction between the metals results in early loosening of the components and detachment from the bone resulting in failure of the replacement. This article gives a brief overview of some of the signs of a failing hip replacement.

There are cases where an individual with a failing hip replacement may not experience any signs and symptoms but in most cases the affected individual will somehow know that there is something wrong with the new hip. Some of the signs which may indicate failure of a hip replacement are pain with any attempts at ambulation with difficult walking for any distance.

The individual will also experience swelling around the hip and joint area. There may also be development of lumps around the affected hip. The individual will also feel that the hip has dislocated from its normal position. There will also be prominent squeaking noise with movement from the artificial hip joint which is a sign of a failing hip replacement.

Once the individual presents with these symptoms to the healthcare provider, a blood test will be done on a stat basis to check for Cobalt and Chromium levels which will be significantly high thus confirming that the hip replacement has failed.

An elevation in the levels of these metals in the bloodstream will also cause certain neurological symptoms like dizziness and blurred vision which are signs of failed hip replacement.

Also Read:

• Q&A: Hip Joint Pain Treatment Approach and Options–Everything You Need To Know
• When Can A Person Go Back To Driving After A Hip Replacement Surgery?
• What is Hemiarthroplasty of the Hip, Know its Advantages, Procedure

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