Home HealthTopics Health Centers Reference Library Research
Join us on Facebook Join us on Facebook Share on Facebook
Share

Parkinson's Disease

Hip replacement and PD

05/23/2008

Question:

My wife will soon have a hip replacement procedure, due to hip displasia not being recognized 76 years ago. Also, she has had PD for ten years, now on the usual medicines to soften the increasing symptoms. Thus, are there complications, more rapid progression of PD as a result of the Hip procedure?

Answer:

It is not uncommon for people with Parkinson's disease to have a transient period of worsening symptoms when they have surgery or even any other acute medical problem.  This is secondary to the changes that occur throughout the whole body in the setting of stress caused by an acute medical problem or surgery.  Because this is a transient period, it is often best to keep with a stable regime of parkinsonian medications with little change.

Occassionally people will experience a permanent worsening of PD. However, aggressive rehab or therapy along with as little interruption in PD meds as possible will lower that risk.

For more information:

Go to the Parkinson's Disease health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Punit Agrawal, DO Punit Agrawal, DO
Assistant Professor of Neurology
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University

Karen M Thomas, DO Karen M Thomas, DO
Formerly:
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University