Explore effective pain management and complication prevention after hip replacement surgery. Learn about costs in Ireland and options abroad for a safer recovery.
If your hip pain and discomfort continue to worsen despite treatment, your doctor may consider hip replacement surgery. Performed millions of times annually, it's a standard, routine procedure for correcting hip discomfort.
Though it's considered extremely safe, as with all surgeries, it does carry some risks. Patients can expect to spend several months recovering from the operation. During this time, minimising the risk of complications and managing any pain is critical.
We cover how to manage postoperative pain, the most common complications, and how to reduce your risk of complications below.
After surgery, it's normal to have some pain. Your medical team will monitor your pain levels, assessing how much medication you need. Initially, the general or regional anaesthesia will mask your pain. However, as it wears off, pain and swelling will occur.
Your pain levels will depend on the type of hip replacement you underwent. The more invasive, the greater the pain levels. Other factors, such as patient age, individual threshold, and sleep, also play a role.
Common pain management options post-hip replacement surgery include:
Although some pain is common during the postoperative period, your medical team should keep it to a minimum. Physical therapy usually begins soon after recovery, and too much pain can impede your progress. As such, certain specialised drugs and opioids may also be used:
In addition to pain relief, ice packs and cold compression can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the hip joint.
The complication rate after hip replacement surgery is exceedingly low. Most patients will experience no negative ramifications from the procedure. However, around 2% of patients will develop serious complications such as a joint infection. Even so, these infections are treated successfully most of the time.
That being said, complications can still occur. So, what are the risks? And what should you look for?
Hip replacement complications can be avoided (or minimised) with the right care. There's a reason why Lithuanian hospitals boast the 2nd lowest complication rates for orthopaedic procedures.
What should be done?
Infection control is of paramount importance. Minimising the exposure to dangerous pathogens will reduce the risk of joint infections. Surgical teams should use the best sterile techniques during surgery, and postoperatively, the wound bandages should be frequently changed.
Patients should be routinely assessed for early signs of infection – especially individuals at greater risk, such as diabetics.
Blood clot prevention reduces the risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism. It involves the use of compression stockings to prevent blood clot formation. Hip replacement surgery carries a high risk of blood clots due to the patient's immobility, allowing the blood to pool in the lower limbs.
Physical therapy is proven to improve outcomes postoperatively. Patients should be mobilised early, increasing strength, reducing stiffness, and also lowering the risk of blood clots and infection.
As a Lithuania hospital, Kardiolita Hospital is proud of its exceptionally low rate of complications and exemplary post-surgical care. Alongside our affordable surgery (approximately a tenth of the average cost in Ireland), we also provide a specific rehabilitation program.
However, as standard, patients will receive several days of recovery care, including pain management and physical therapy. Send us an enquiry to learn more.