Bilateral total hip replacement means replacing both hips during one operation. For appropriate patients, this can eliminate the pain in both hips with a single operation, while substantially reducing the overall recovery time. The anterior approach facilitates bilateral hip replacement by avoiding patient position changes required with a lateral or posterior approach. Additionally, advances in blood management and anesthesia techniques have allowed bilateral hip replacement to be safely offered to appropriate patients.
Who is a bilateral total hip replacement candidate?
Bilateral hip replacement is a larger and longer operation than unilateral (single) hip replacement. Dr. Melvin will consider bilateral hip replacement for healthy patients with significant arthritic symptoms in both hips. Only after a through history, physical exam and review of imaging can you and Dr. Melvin determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
Risks
The risks of bilateral total hip replacement are similar to the in-patient procedure. The possible complications after out-patient total hip replacement can include:
- Infection
- Dislocation
- Fracture of the femur or pelvis
- Injury to nerves or blood vessels
- Formation of blood clots in the leg veins
- Leg length inequality
- Hip prosthesis may wear out
- Failure to relieve pain
- Scar formation
- Constipation
- Anemia
- Heart attack, stroke, blood clot, death.
New Hips & Hurricanes
LAST FALL WAS QUITE EVENTFUL for John Boyd, 73, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. In August, he finally received long-awaited surgery to replace both hips—during one single operation at Sibley. In September, while he was completing rehabilitation at the hospital, two Category 5 hurricanes just weeks apart pummeled St. Croix and his home.
