Why Is Incontinence After Hip Replacement Surgery So Common?

It's estimated that around 35% of people who have hip replacement surgery will experience some form of incontinence afterwards. That number may seem high, but it's actually quite common for surgeries involving the hip area to cause urinary incontinence. There are a few reasons why this happens, which we'll explore in more detail below

Damage to muscles and nerves during surgery. One of the most common reasons for incontinence after hip replacement surgery is damage to the muscles and nerves around the bladder during the surgery itself. This damage can result in what's known as urge incontinence, or the inability to control when you need to urinate. In some cases, this type of incontinence may improve over time as the muscles and nerves heal. However, in other cases, it may be a permanent side effect of the surgery.

Weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. Another common reason for incontinence after hip replacement surgery is weakness in the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the bladder and help to keep it closed off so that urine doesn't leak out. When these muscles are weak, it can lead to stress incontinence, or leakage when coughing, sneezing, or doing other physical activities. Kegel exercises can help to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and reduce stress incontinence.

Changes in hormone levels. Hormone levels can also play a role in incontinence after hip replacement surgery. Changes in hormone levels can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and make them more prone to stress incontinence. This is one of the reasons why incontinence is more common in women than men. Menopause can also cause changes in hormone levels that contribute to urinary incontinence.

If you're scheduled for hip replacement surgery, chances are you're wondering about the possibility of experiencing urinary incontinence afterwards. It's estimated that around 35% of people who have hip replacement surgery will experience some form of urinary incontinence afterwards. While that number may seem high, it's actually quite common for surgeries involving the hip area to cause urinary incontinence. There are a few reasons why this happens, which we've explored in more detail above. In most cases, incontinence after hip replacement surgery is temporary and will improve over time as your body heals from the surgery. However, in some cases, it may be a permanent side effect of the surgery. If you're concerned about incontinence after hip replacement surgery, talk to your doctor about all of your treatment options prior to having the surgery so that you can make an informed decision about what's right for you.