English: Hip replacement using cementless implants. 16 days post-surgery. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A recent study has revealed that osteoarthritis patients  undergoing total hip replacement surgery are now twice as likely to survive within 90 days of surgery.

The study, published in The Lancet (September 2013) involved more than 400,000 cases who underwent hip replacement for osteoarthritis between April 2003 and December 2011 in Wales and England. Researchers identified 1,743 deaths: a 90-day mortality rate that fell from 0.56% in 2003 to 0.29% in 2011.

Several clinical factors were associated with lower mortality after adjusting for sex, age group, and comorbidity, including:

• The method of surgical approach
• Specific treatments to stop blood clots after surgery
• Pre-surgical fitness
• Post surgical Rehab
• Spinal anesthetic

In addition, the researchers found that the type of prosthesis showed no association with mortality. However, poor health was associated with a significant increased risk of death.

• Moderate or severe liver disease associated with a nearly 10-fold greater risk for 90-day mortality
• Metastatic cancer was associated with 7-fold increased mortality
• Heart Attack, congestive heart failure, and diabetes were all associated with 2 and 3 times increased mortality