Many people require hip replacement surgery when experiencing significant arthritic pain that is interfering with their daily tasks. Hip replacement involves removing damaged cartilage and bone from the hip joint and substituting it with artificial components.
Most elderly patients who undergo hip replacement maintain their implant for 15 to 20 years and occasionally for life. However, If the first surgery is performed at an early age and the patient is physically active, the patient may need one or more hip replacement revisions.
A revision hip replacement surgery is a surgical procedure in which the entire or a portion of an existing artificial hip joint is replaced with a new one. Hip implants may wear out or fail over time due to possible causes of hip degeneration, such as osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, genetic anomalies, osteonecrosis, and athletic injuries.
Revision replacement surgery is necessary to address any discomfort that the worn implant cause, such as joint pain or damage to the femur’s supporting bones.
This article will help you understand what revision hip replacement surgery entails, why you need it, and what to expect during recovery.
What To Expect in A Revision Hip Replacement?
Repairing or replacing a damaged prosthetic hip joint is typically more complicated than the original hip replacement procedure. The surgeon may have to use more bone grafting or operate with less bone to anchor the second implant. You’ll also find the hospitalization and recovery period to be much longer due to the patient’s age and general health.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to hip revision surgery! In preoperative examinations, the surgeon aims to identify the appropriate surgical technique to be implemented, considering your case. Your doctor will select the prosthesis’s type and size, and you’ll be evaluated to check if you need further bone grafts or other treatments to maintain the health of bone and tissue in the joint.
Revision surgery is available in various forms; in some cases, only a few parts of the prosthesis need replacement. Other conditions require removing the old prosthesis, surrounding tissue, and any dead bone and replacing it with a new one.
When To Consider Hip Revision Surgery?
If Your implant begins to loosen or wear down over time
Hip replacement surgery is incredibly efficient in treating injured or arthritic hip joints. Unfortunately, joint replacements are not permanent. An artificial hip joint typically lasts between 10 and 20 years. If your prosthesis begins to develop signs of damage or instability after this time period, revision surgery may be necessary to replace your damaged prosthesis.
- Infection
You may have an infection while in the hospital, at home, or even years down the road. Your implant may loosen if your complete hip replacement or the tissue surrounding it becomes contaminated. This usually necessitates a revision procedure.
Your prosthesis may get infected during your hospital stay, or after you leave the hospital or even years afterwards. In case your joint replacement or the tissue surrounding it becomes infected, your implant may become loose and irritating, which requires revision surgery immediately.
- Recurrent Dislocations
If your prosthetic ball gets dislocated from its socket on a regular basis, you may require revision surgery to realign your hip joint or to place a dislocation-preventing implant.
- Fractures
Revision hip replacement surgery may be necessary if you suffer a fracture around your implant components or if your implant ruptures due to a fall or brutal injury.
Recovery
Although recovery from revision surgery is typically slower than recovery from first hip replacement surgery, the level of care is generally similar!
When it comes to regaining your strength and mobility, a physiotherapist can offer guidance on specific exercises to do at home. Your doctor might also recommend a walker, crutches, or a walking cane to ease the pressure off of your hip.
Moreover, our expert team at Novomed will schedule aftercare visits to assess your recovery 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery and run X-ray scans to examine your prosthesis joint.
Everyone’s recovery journey is different! Patients usually make a full recovery and return to their normal activities after six months of surgery. It is critical to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for the best possible results.
Contact us to learn more about our orthopedic department, specialized treatments, and therapy center!
