This is called a pulmonary embolism. Most surgeons take preventing DVT very seriously. Infection Infection can be a very serious complication following an artificial joint. Some infections may show up very early - before you leave the hospital. Others may not become apparent for months, or even years, after the operation.
Infection can spread into the artifical joint from other infected areas.
Your surgeon may want to make sure that you take antibiotics when you have dental work, or surgical procedures on your bladder and colon to reduce the risk of spreading germs to the joint. There is a greater risk just after surgery, before the tissues have healed around the new joint, but there is always a risk. The therapist will instruct you very carefully how to avoid activities and positions which may have a tendency to cause a hip dislocation. Loosening The major reason that artificial joints eventually fail continues to be a process of loosening where the metal or cement meets the bone. There have been great advances in extending how long an artificial joint will last, but most will eventually loosen and require a revision.