Hip Replacement Failure Symptoms: What Are the Signs of a Failing Hip Replacement?

Getting a hip replaced can be a transformative experience for many seniors.

If all goes according to plan, patients experience increased mobility and relief from debilitating chronic pain. Unfortunately, like any surgery, things can go wrong. A hip replacement is a serious procedure that will require weeks to months of rehabilitation to fully heal from, so pain and limited mobility are to be expected.

However, complications from surgery or the natural breakdown of your replacement hip over time may cause you to experience symptoms of a failing hip replacement. In this post we’ll help you understand the early signs of hip replacement failure, how to tell if a hip replacement is failing, and when you should see your doctor for help.

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Hip Replacement Gone Bad

If you’ve had your hip replaced, you may be thinking that all of the pain and suffering of surgery is behind you. Unfortunately, hip replacements don’t last forever, so even if you’ve had one, you may start to notice signs of your hip replacement wearing out.

An artificial hip should last between 10 and 20 years on average after a successful operation and recovery period. According to one study, artificial hips lasted up to 25 years in 58% of patients depending on factors like the age of the patient, their overall health pre-surgery, how active they were post-surgery, and what their artificial hip was made from.

Why Do Hip Replacements Fail?

Hip replacements fail for a variety of reasons, ranging from complications during surgery to natural wear and tear. Reasons a hip replacement may fail include:

• Allergic Reaction – An allergic reaction to materials in the implant can trigger inflammation and cause damage to your artificial hip.
• Bone Thinning – A loss of bone density around your implant weakens the joint and leads to bone thinning, making your artificial hip more prone to loosening and pain.
• Improper Implant Placement – Though uncommon, if an implant has not been correctly positioned during surgery it can cause complications.
• Infection – If the surgical site becomes infected it can cause inflammation and tissue damage that negatively impacts the implant.
• Loosening of the Implant – Implants can naturally shift position or loosen over time, causing pain and issues with balance.
• Soft Tissue Weakness – Insufficient muscle support can cause instability in the joints or dislocation of your artificial hip.
• Trauma or Injury – Falls or other injuries can dislocate or damage the implant and surrounding bones.
• Wear and Tear – As we outlined above, no hip replacement will last forever. Natural wear and tear over time will eventually cause complications with your implant.
• Weight Gain and Obesity – Being overweight adds stress to the implant and increases the risk for other complications over time.

Symptoms of Hip Replacement Failure

Being able to recognize signs that your hip replacement is failing can help you prevent further injury or complications. If you’re concerned that your artificial hip is in need of replacement, look for the following signs your hip replacement is failing:

• Pain – persistent pain in your groin, thighs, hips, or legs that worsens with activity is a common symptom of a failed hip replacement. If you experience pain while standing, walking, or transitioning from sitting to standing this may point to an issue with your implant.
• Mobility issues – loss of range of motion, including developing a limp, experiencing difficulty walking, trouble with balance, or the feeling your hip may “give out” at any moment are all signs that something may be wrong with your artificial hip.
• Noises – hearing a persistent clicking, popping, or grinding in your joints may point to loosening, misalignment, or the consequences of natural wear and tear to your artificial hip.
• Signs of infection – experiencing fever, redness, swelling, warmth around the surgical site, or increased pain are signs your implant may be infected and requires immediate medical care.
• Slow recovery – poor or slow progression in physical rehabilitation can indicate underlying issues with your artificial hip.

Other failed hip replacement symptoms include unexplained discomfort and changes in how the implant feels during regular activity.

How to Tell if a Hip Replacement is Failing

If you notice any of these bad hip replacement symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Your medical team will be able to assess the damage to your artificial hip by conducting a standard physical examination to understand your pain levels, joint stability, and how much your range of motion has been impacted.

From there, additional testing may be necessary to identify signs of infection, inflammation, or allergic reaction. X-Rays or other imaging tests may be used to understand if your implant is loosening or dislocated, and to detect damage to the bone and soft tissue.

While it is true that you may lose a little range of motion after hip replacement, the reduction of pain and the increased mobility more than make up for it. Even so, it is important to watch for the signs of a failing hip replacement and see your doctor as soon as possible. This can save you a lot of pain and trouble down the line.

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