Mini Total Hip Replacement by Todd V. Swanson M.D. - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story of successful pregnancy after hip replacement. Younger patients are having total hip arthroplasty now, and a woman who has had such a procedure may want to become pregnant. Your story is another demonstration that this is indeed possible without adverse effects.

A recent study done on childbearing after total hip replacement showed no ill effect in the five women in the study who completed a total of six successful pregnancies. One patient, with a bilateral total hip arthroplasty, had two successful pregnancies, 2.5 years apart. Three children were delivered vaginally (with the mother in the lithotomy position) and three, by cesarean section. There were no complications related to the total hip arthroplasty after delivery.

It appears that successful pregnancy and normal vaginal delivery can occur safely after total hip arthroplasty. The overall result, function, and radiographic appearance after the total hip arthroplasty was not adversely affected by pregnancy in this small group of patients.

McDowell CM, Lachiewicz PF. Pregnancy after total hip arthroplasty. J Bone
Joint Surg-Am 2001; 83-A: 1490-1494.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11679598&dopt=Abstract

You may enjoy reading the story of Dr. Swanson’s patient, Kathy. She received a mini-incision hip replacement from Dr. Swanson at 32-years old and has since had two babies with no complications. http://www.minitotalhip.com/webpages/Kathy.htm

Best Wishes,
Pauline

Pregnancy after hip replacement — Sheila, Tue Nov 25 3:52pm

I'm 32-years old and need a hip replacement because of avascular necrosis in my right hip. My husband and I would still like to have children. Is it safe to become pregnant after a hip replacement?... more
- Pegnancy after hip replacement — Kim, Mon Feb 19 12:06am
  
  I am actually crying out of relif and happieness since I finally found something about pregnancy after hip replacement. I am a 25 year old woman facing the surgery. I was told that the youngest... more
- - hip replacement — Megan, Mon Aug 13 3:59pm
    
    I'm 22 years old, I live in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. All throughout highschool I ran track and crosscountry, and I swam on the swimteam from the age of 7 until I was too old (about 18) I then... more
  - pregnancy after hip replacement — Liz, Fri Apr 13 5:00pm
    
    Hi Kim, I am 29 years old. I had a "slipped hip" at age 11 and had a routine operation to pin it back in place. Unfortunately I got an infection which resulted in 4 more operations and eventually a... more
  - - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Pauline, Sun Apr 15 8:34am
  - pregnancy after hip replacement — Anita, Mon Apr 2 1:12pm
    
    Almost 2 months ago, I gave birth to my second child. This one was after a total hip replacement of my right hip. Everything went well, although the further along I got in my pregnancy, I did feel... more
  - - AVN — Anonymous, Wed Aug 4 4:53am
      
      Hi Anita Thanx a lot fo sharing this.I m 35 suffering from bilateral necrosis of hip joint. Got married 5 months back had one miscarriage.Unable to decide whether to go in for child or THR first???
    - - Hip Replacement before Pregnancy — Pauline, Thu Aug 5 4:45pm
        
        I highly recommend having hip replacement prior to pregnancy. I developed AVN during my pregnancy and experienced having a very young child with intense hip pain. My debilitating hip pain negatively... more
      - Thanx — Anonymous, Sat Aug 7 1:48am
        
        Thanx a lot Pauline...Just wanna ask do u know after replacement after how much time i can satrt family...Thanx..
        Re: Thanx — Dr. Swanson, Mon Aug 23 11:35am
        
        I don’t think there is any hard and fast rule, but if someone got pregnant even right after the surgery, there would really be no risk because the only risk of infection would occur at childbirth 9... more
    - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Anonymous, Tue Jul 14 2:29pm
      
      Hi, What type of hip implant do you have?
    - - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Pauline, Fri Jul 17 5:18am
        
        I have a ceramic/ceramic hip with a Zweymueller stem.
    - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Pauline, Tue Apr 3 6:39am
      
      Anita, Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. It is wonderful to hear your happy ending. Enjoy those babies! Best Wishes, Pauline
    - - pregnancy after hip replacment — Kim, Tue Apr 3 7:05am
        
        I am so glad to hear that. It gives me hope that I can have more children.
  - pregnancy — Kathy, Thu Feb 22 7:48pm
    
    Hi Kim, Yes, please feel free to contact me. I am busy with a 2 year old and a 7 month old (both born after my total hip with no problems), but can try to answer any questions you may have. I am so... more
  - Re: Pegnancy after hip replacement — Pauline, Wed Feb 21 4:27am
    
    Pregnancy and childbirth can occur successfully in patients who have a total hip replacement, according to two recent studies. Pregnancy and childbirth not detrimental after total hip replacement,... more
- pregnancy after hip replacement — Anita, Wed Sep 6 12:47am
  
  I am 35 years old, 1 year and 2 months post op after a total hip replacement of my right hip due to avascular necrosis, and 16 weeks pregnant! I do feel some effects of my hip condition. I am... more
- - Anyone with a furlong hip? — emilia, Mon Apr 11 6:55am
    
    I am 36 years old with avascular necrosis in my right hip. They are recommending a total hip replacement using the Furlong prosthesis for me since I am in Europe and that is what they use here. I... more
  - emwags@sbcglobal.net — emily wagner, Fri May 25 5:16am
    
    wobdering if everyone who has had baby after total hip had c section. i did and sometimes wondering if i didnt need to. i was afraid of dislcationg during labor. i have bilatereal total hips. thanks!!
  - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Stacy R. Grenier, Wed May 23 7:28pm
    
    I am a 30 year old female with a THR and I am 12 weeks pregnant. I am 8 months post-op and I have been put on toe touch weight wearing only for the past month. I have been told that I can not do any... more
  - - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Dr. Swanson, Mon May 28 11:44am
      
      I’m confused as to why you would be made toe touch weight bearing 8 months post-op. Was that done because of the pregnancy? In general, it is agreed by almost all orthopaedic surgeons that a patient... more
    - - Hip replacement and pregnancy — Stacy R. Grenier, Mon May 28 1:06pm
        
        Hello, Thank you for your response. I was tolal weight bearing at 6 weeks post op. and was fine until Nov 06 when I had a fall. I was still total weight bearing, but I was taking Ibuprofin quite... more
      - hip replacement & pregnancy — Todd Swanson, MD, Sat Jun 2 4:52pm
        
        Well, unfortunately, it sounds like your physician suspects that you have a loose femoral component. I would have to agree from your description. In general, it is best to avoid radiographs while... more
    - pregnancy after hip replacement — Anita, Thu May 24 2:57am
      
      I recently had my second child, c-section, which was about a year and a half after my total hip replacement. I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in my right hip 2 months after my first child. Now ... more
  - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Kathy, Fri Sep 8 6:28am
    
    We now have two babies since my hip replacement! We are doing well. No problems with either pregnancy and delivery. I'm a bit swamped with the baby.. please contact me via email jkswartz@99737.com as ... more
  - - re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Anita, Fri Sep 15 7:03am
      
      Kathy, Thanks for the response. I would love to hear more of your story to compare notes, and congratulations on 2 babies. Thanks for your e-mail address. When I have more time I will e-mail you... more
    - - re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Anonymous, Wed Aug 4 4:57am
        
        Hi Anita n Kathy can u both give ur email ids or can we chat.I m in big dilemma can u pls help..
    - Re: pregnancy after hip replacement — Pauline, Sat Sep 9 8:28am
      
      Kathy received a ceramic/ceramic hip replacement from Dr. Swanson in 2002 due to congenital hip dysplasia. You can read her hip replacement story at http://www.minitotalhip.com/webpages/Kathy.htm... more
  - how soon can I get pregnant? — michelle, Wed Sep 6 9:26pm
    
    I had a THR on July 10th and I am doing well. I'm not in any rush to get pregnant, but do wonder should I wait a certain length of time after haing the THR? thanks
  - - pregnancy after total hip replacement — Anita, Thu Sep 7 12:45pm
      
      I waited 1 year. I don't think I would have done it any earlier. I suggest waiting at least that. Good luck. Anita
- Pregnancy after hip replacement — Pauline, Fri Nov 28 4:35pm
  
  Pregnancy and childbirth can occur successfully in patients who have a total hip replacement, according to two recent studies. Pregnancy and childbirth not detrimental after total hip replacement,... more
- - Re: Pregnancy after hip replacement — Elisabeth, Sun Nov 30 7:18am
    
    Women of childbearing age should probably avoid metal/metal bearings (THR or resurfacing), because of potential toxicity to a fetus from the metal wear debris. There is no proof, either way, so... more

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