Anaesthetic Risks 

 

Joint replacement surgery is not without risk and is a major surgical procedure. Prior to surgery, you will be seen in a pre-assessment clinic where your medical condition will be fully assessed. If any investigations are required then they will be arranged and reviewed prior to you coming in for surgery. Where necessary, your notes will be reviewed by an Anaesthetic Consultant and a decision made about where and when your surgery will take place.

 

Depending upon your pre-existing medical problems, a good result can be expected in over 95% of patients. However, some patients face a higher potential for complications. These include:

1)   major medical problems

a.    cardiac disease

b.   diabetes

c.    previous stroke

d.   severe respiratory disease

2)   previous blood clots

a.    deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

b.   pulmonary embolism (PE)

3)   medication

a.    anticoagulants

b.   steroid

c.    immunosuppressants

4)   previous joint surgery

a.    fracture fixation

b.   previous infection

c.    previous joint replacement

 

 

There are also risks specific to joint replacement surgery. Preventitive measures are taken, such as antibiotics before and after the procedure and anti-clotting injections. Nevertheless, complications can still occur. These include:

 

1)   Infection (1%)

2)   DVT (2-3%)

3)   Fatal PE (0.2%)

4)   Revision (10% at 10 years follow-up)

 

There are also risks specific to the individual procedure, which include:

 

 

1)   Dislocation (2%)

2)   Leg – length discrepancy (2%)

3)   Sciatic nerve injury (0.02%)

 

 

1)   On-going pain and discomfort (5%)

2)   Stiffness (2%)

3)   Nerve/Blood vessel injury (0.1%)

 

 

All potential complications will be discussed with you prior to signing a consent form.