Revision Hip & Knee Replacement
Specialized evaluation and treatment for painful, failed, or complicated previous joint replacements.
Most hip and knee replacements provide many years of reliable function. However, some patients may develop pain, instability, stiffness, infection, implant wear, loosening, or other problems that require further evaluation.
Revision joint replacement can be more complex than an initial hip or knee replacement. Determining why a joint replacement is painful or failing is an important first step before deciding whether another surgery is necessary.
Evaluating a Painful Joint Replacement
Not every painful hip or knee replacement requires revision surgery.
Evaluation begins with understanding your symptoms, reviewing your previous surgery and implants, and examining the joint. X-rays and other imaging may be helpful, and in some situations blood tests or joint aspiration may be recommended to evaluate for infection or other causes of pain.
My goal is to identify the cause of the problem before recommending another operation whenever possible.
When Is Revision Surgery Necessary?
Revision hip or knee replacement may be considered for problems including:
Implant loosening or wear
Instability or recurrent dislocation
Infection
Fracture around a joint replacement
Implant failure or mechanical problems
Persistent stiffness or loss of function
Bone loss around an existing implant
The appropriate treatment depends on the cause of the problem. In some cases, only part of the existing replacement may need to be revised. More complex situations may require removal and reconstruction of multiple components.
An Individualized Approach to Complex Reconstruction
Revision surgery often requires careful planning because every previous joint replacement is different. Existing implants, bone quality, soft tissues, prior operations, and the reason for failure all influence the surgical plan.
As a fellowship-trained hip and knee replacement surgeon, I perform both revision hip and revision knee replacement, including complex reconstruction when necessary.
My goal is to develop the safest and most appropriate treatment plan for each patient rather than simply proceeding with another operation.
What to Expect
Evaluation
Your previous operative records and imaging can be helpful when available. Additional X-rays, laboratory testing, advanced imaging, or joint aspiration may be recommended depending on your individual situation.
Surgical Planning
If revision surgery is appropriate, the procedure is planned around the cause of failure, the condition of the existing implants, and the amount of available bone and soft tissue.
Recovery
Recovery after revision surgery varies considerably depending on the complexity of the procedure. Your postoperative activity, weight-bearing, physical therapy, and follow-up plan will be individualized to your reconstruction.