Risk of Stroke Rises Following Total Hip Replacement Surgery

A recent study indicates that total hip replacement surgery increases the risk of stroke, which is caused when the blood flow to the brain is stopped, within two weeks of surgery.

Total hip replacement surgery is widely becoming popular in Europe and United States. Every year about 1 million total hip replacement surgeries are done.

According to a recent research published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke, in the first two weeks after the total hip replacement surgery, the risk of ischemic stroke increases 4 to 7 times and hemorrhagic stroke increases 4.4 times.

Hip Replacement Surgery - Types, Indications, Procedure, Recovery, Complications, Advantages
Hip replacement surgery is usually done on a hip joint damaged due to age from osteo-arthritis. This results in pain and limits daily activities without relief from medications.

Frank de Vries, Ph.D., Pharm.D., the lead author of the study and assistant professor of pharmacoepidemiology at Utrecht University in the Netherlands said, “This is the first study to evaluate the risk of stroke in patients undergoing total hip replacement compared to people in the general population who did not undergo the surgery, but were matched for age, sex and geographical region.”

The researchers stated, “It makes sense to evaluate the risk of stroke two weeks after surgery. There is an increasing tendency to decrease the length of hospital stay because of improved therapy and because of strategies to reduce costs and mobilize patients as soon as possible.”

The scientists enrolled 66,583 patients in Danish registries who underwent total hip replacement surgery and evaluated them against 199,995 people who did not have surgery. The volunteers were aged between 70 and 72 years, mostly Caucasians and 63.1 percent of them were females.

Sporting Activity in Excess Could Mar Long-Term Success of Hip Resurfacing
The femoral ball in the hip joint is not removed in hip resurfacing; instead it is trimmed and capped with a smooth metal covering.

The researchers discovered that the risk of stroke was four times more in patients who had total hip replacement surgery as compared to those who did not have the surgery.

The scientists mentioned that the threat of stroke was 2 percent following the total hip replacement operation while it was only 0.4 percent in absence of any such surgery.

Study Says 'Fast Track' Total Hip Replacement Surgery Cuts Discharge Time by Days
Healthy patients who undergo fast track total hip replacement (THR) can be discharged within two days of the surgery compared to the standard three to six days, says a new study.

Prof Cyrus Cooper of the University of Southampton said that the risk of stroke was two times more with total hip replacement surgery as compared to any other general surgery.

The scientists said that aspirin intake could lower the risk of blood clot.

Medications Reduce Complications of Total Hip Replacement
Medications like antibiotics, painkillers and blood thinners used just before or after hip replacement surgery help to reduce complications of the surgery and assist in speedy recovery.

Prof Cooper said, “This research has demonstrated that there is a high risk of stroke to patients soon after having a total hip replacement and suggests that the use of soluble aspirin might be beneficial in reducing this risk. He added, “Normally we would have reservations about people taking aspirin every day but our results suggest aspirin is a benefit and worthwhile to give to the patient before the surgery.”

Hip replacement surgery is a major traumatic operation and like any other surgery there is always a threat of further health ailments.

The researchers said that if you are intending to go for a total hip replacement surgery, it is advisable to speak to your general physician and discuss the associated potential risks.

Source-Medindia