Why is hip replacement surgery often fatal?!
Question: Why is hip replacement surgery often fatal!?
Answers:
It isn't!. It used to be before doctors learned to use blood-thinning drugs and other prophylactic measures to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis [DVT] which is the precursor to the frequently fatal pulmonary embolism!.
http://totaljoints!.info/veint_thrombosis!.!.!.
http://totaljoints!.info/complicationsdee!.!.!.
DVT is a risk for many patients (not just surgical patients) who are inactive for a long period of time!. It has even occurred in individuals who sit in airplanes for hours and is sometimes called "economy class syndrome" - one more reason to get up and walk around during long flights!.
There are other possible complications for hip replacement that might occur but they usually aren't fatal although they can be devastating!. They include dislocation, infection, limb length difference!.
On the other hand, hip fractures, especially in the elderly, are associated with an increased risk of dying within a year!. Most hip replacements are not done because of hip fracture; the most common reason is osteoarthritis!.
Primary hip replacement as performed today is one of the most successsful surgical procedures in how it relieves pain and restores function in individuals who would otherwise end up in wheelchairs!. It is very safe!. I've had both of my hips replaced in separate surgeries!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
http://totaljoints!.info/veint_thrombosis!.!.!.
http://totaljoints!.info/complicationsdee!.!.!.
DVT is a risk for many patients (not just surgical patients) who are inactive for a long period of time!. It has even occurred in individuals who sit in airplanes for hours and is sometimes called "economy class syndrome" - one more reason to get up and walk around during long flights!.
There are other possible complications for hip replacement that might occur but they usually aren't fatal although they can be devastating!. They include dislocation, infection, limb length difference!.
On the other hand, hip fractures, especially in the elderly, are associated with an increased risk of dying within a year!. Most hip replacements are not done because of hip fracture; the most common reason is osteoarthritis!.
Primary hip replacement as performed today is one of the most successsful surgical procedures in how it relieves pain and restores function in individuals who would otherwise end up in wheelchairs!. It is very safe!. I've had both of my hips replaced in separate surgeries!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
There are a few reasons!. When a person breaks a hip they are normally older, have health and healing issues, and may not have family support!. The surgery is a VERY painful surgery and it's hard on an older person!. Not only have they injured themselves, they are being cut open 12+ inches or so, banged with a hammer!. !. !. and exposed to germs in hospitals, nursing homes and open to infection, blood clots and bed sores!. They often are not permitted to walk/bare weight at all for a long time which causes them to loose a lot of their strength!. They may not be eating well due to pain & depression making the situation worse!. Many people don't return to an active life after breaking their hip, decreased activities of daily living, and decreased sense of self worth follows!. They may die from malnutrician, or conditions that result from the surgary or break, but they can be traced back to the break!. The mental effects of the injury and resulting disability are often just as much to blame as the injury it's self!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It's not the actual hip replacement that is fatal, it's other related factors!.
1) Age is a major factor!. The surgery is very invasive and an older person will be challenged to heal from such a severe wound!.
2) Complications from the healing process such as blood clots that restridt flow , or dislodge and move into areas where they restrict flow!.
3) Physical deterioration!. We need to exercise to keep things working well!. This is particularly true as we age!. During the time it takes to recuperate, it's easy to stop routines, then other tings will weaken!. My own father had this happen!.
He broke his hip and couldn't keep up his exercise program (he was 90)!. He became infected with cancer and died a year later!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
1) Age is a major factor!. The surgery is very invasive and an older person will be challenged to heal from such a severe wound!.
2) Complications from the healing process such as blood clots that restridt flow , or dislodge and move into areas where they restrict flow!.
3) Physical deterioration!. We need to exercise to keep things working well!. This is particularly true as we age!. During the time it takes to recuperate, it's easy to stop routines, then other tings will weaken!. My own father had this happen!.
He broke his hip and couldn't keep up his exercise program (he was 90)!. He became infected with cancer and died a year later!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It is not usually the surgery itself that is fatal!. The surgery, while being a major surgery is very effective for most patients!. However, there are some risk factors!. A major one being blood clots, and certain types---pulmonary embolism or PE can be fatal!. Also, as with any surgery, there is a risk of infection!.
About!.com has a great section on Hip-Replacement Surgery and the risks associated with it!.
http://orthopedics!.about!.com/cs/hiprepla!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
About!.com has a great section on Hip-Replacement Surgery and the risks associated with it!.
http://orthopedics!.about!.com/cs/hiprepla!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
infectionWww@Answer-Health@Com