Complications of total hip arthroplasty: neurovascular injury, leg-length discrepancy, and instability.

Total hip arthroplasty has revolutionized the treatment of end-stage hip arthritis and is felt to be among the most cost effective of all medical interventions available. As a result of the combination of the high success rate, increasing population age, and increasing clinical indications for total hip arthroplasty the absolute number of complications experienced will inevitably increase. A thorough understanding of the more common complications following total hip arthroplasty aids in optimizing patient outcomes and allows for improved patient education during preoperative counseling. This review focuses on some of the aseptic complications of total hip arthroplasty including neurovascular injury, leg-length discrepancy, and instability.