Revision Hip Replacement
Hip replacements last a long time but not forever. When one loosens, wears through, dislocates repeatedly or becomes infected, revision surgery replaces it. The operation is longer than the original and depends heavily on how much bone remains.
- Planned from detailed imaging
- Revision stems and augments on site
- Infection excluded before surgery
- Slower, more cautious rehabilitation
Stay
5 to 7 days
Duration
2 to 4 hours
Anaesthesia
Spinal or general
About Revision Hip Replacement
The cause of failure decides everything. Infection needs treating before any new implant goes in, often as a staged procedure. Mechanical loosening, wear or recurrent dislocation each need different solutions. Bone loss is mapped on imaging beforehand so the correct implants, longer stems and augments where needed, are available on the day.
- The cause of failure decides the whole approach
- Bone loss is mapped before surgery, not discovered during it
- Infection is usually treated in two stages
- Recurrent dislocation may need constrained components
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about revision hip replacement. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest revision hip replacement.
- Pain returning in a replaced hip
- Loosening on X-ray
- Repeated dislocation of a hip replacement
- Wear of the bearing surfaces
- Infection in a previous hip replacement
- Fracture around an existing implant
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Establishing the cause
X-rays, inflammatory blood tests and often aspiration of the joint, because infection changes the entire plan.
Imaging and planning
CT maps bone loss so the correct stems, cups and augments are available rather than improvised.
Surgery
The old components are removed with bone preserved as far as possible, and revision implants placed to restore stability.
Rehabilitation
Weight bearing is often restricted initially, and physiotherapy progresses more slowly than after a first replacement.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Bring records of the original surgery and the implant used if available
- Bring all previous X-rays and any infection results
- Treat dental problems beforehand
- Optimise weight, diabetes and nutrition, which materially affect healing
- Arrange substantial help at home for several weeks
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Expect five to seven days in hospital
- Weight-bearing restrictions are common and must be followed exactly
- Hip precautions are usually stricter than after a first replacement
- Antibiotics may continue for weeks where infection was present
- Full recovery commonly takes six months or more
Why choose Humayun for revision hip surgery
Revision hip surgery goes well when the bone loss is known before the incision rather than found during it.
- Bone loss mapped on CT beforehand, so the right implants are on the shelf
- Infection excluded with aspiration rather than assumed absent
- Revision stems, cups and augments held on site
- Rehabilitation set specifically for what was done rather than a standard pathway
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