People who require a hip replacement operation can expect a longer healing time and a greater chance of suffering complications if they smoke, new research indicates.

US scientists followed the progress of 110 smokers who underwent a total hip replacement between 2007 and 2009. These were compared to non-smokers who underwent the same procedure.

The 110 patients regularly smoked and had an average age of 55. They were monitored for almost four years after the procedure.

The study found little difference in survival rates among the smokers and non-smokers - 99% survival among the non-smokers compared to 92% in the smokers.

However, those who smoked took longer to heal following the operation. They were also more likely to suffer complications. For example, almost one in 10 current smokers had to undergo a second procedure due to complications such as infection, compared to one in 16 former smokers.

Overall, smokers had a higher chance of having to undergo a further procedure and a higher incidence of complications.

According to the scientists, all smokers who require a hip replacement should consider quitting smoking beforehand to increase their chance of a good recovery.

Details of these findings were presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Chicago.