Replacement surgery is frequently recommended for patients who have a continually painful and stiff hip caused by advanced osteoarthritis or a fracture in the hip. Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced with a prosthetic implant. This is normally advised to patients after physical therapy and medications were tried but have failed. Implants are available in the market and each are made out of different materials. The Food and Drug Administration evaluates and tests the safety and effectiveness of the hip implants using their 510(k) approval process. However, a recent report of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) criticizes the approval process and was agreed upon by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Patients always worry about complications and predicaments with every surgery. Hip dislocation after a total hip replacement is crucial the first six weeks after surgery. Hip dislocation happens when the femoral head is displaced out of the hip joint.  Dislocation may happen if the capsule is stretched or the muscles surrounding the joint have weakened. It is usually accompanied by pain, edema, rigidity, shortening of the leg and loss of function.  Approximately 0-5 percent of the primary hip replacement develops dislocation but rate increases with revision of the hip surgery.

Physical therapy, post-operative care and patient education can help prevent dislocation. The prosthesis may take time to stabilize, until it happens, patient needs to follow certain positioning precaution to keep the prosthesis in place.  Means of preventing dislocation include:

• Knees should be apart at all times
• Do not cross the leg when seated
• Bending the hip for more than 90 degrees is not allowed
• Avoid turning the affected leg inward

After a total hip replacement, it is almost always possible to develop a dislocation. Hence, it is imperative to follow post-operative instructions and have a regular check-up with a health care professional to lessen the risk of dislocation. It is advisable to consult a health care professional regarding hip replacement, its nature and possible outcome and complications such as a DePuy hip recall before deciding on having the surgery.