Joint Replacement is one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine. In most cases, it enables people to live richer, more active lives free of chronic pain. Over time, however, a joint replacement may fail for a variety of reasons. When this occurs, your Knee/Hip replacement can become painful and swollen. It may also feel stiff or unstable, making it difficult to perform your everyday activities.

If your joint replacement fails, we may recommend that you have a second surgery — revision total knee/hip replacement. In this procedure, we remove some or all the parts of the original prosthesis and replaces them with new ones.

Although both procedures have the same goal — to relieve pain and improve function — revision surgery is different than primary joint replacement. It is a longer, more complex procedure that requires extensive planning, and specialized implants and tools to achieve a good result.

Description:

During primary joint replacement, the joint is replaced with an implant, or prosthesis, made of metal and plastic components. Although most joint  replacements are very successful, over time, problems such as implant wear and loosening may require a revision procedure to replace the original components.

There are different types of revision surgery. In some cases, only one implant or component of the prosthesis has to be revised. Other times, all components need to removed or replaced and the bone around the joint needs to be rebuilt with augments (metal pieces that substitute for missing bone) or bone graft.

Damage to the bone may make it difficult for us to use standard implants for revision replacement. In most cases, we use specialized implants that fit deeper inside the bone for extra support.

When is Revision replacement recommended:

• Implant Loosening and wear
• Infection
• Instability
• Dislocation
• Fracture
• Stiffness
• Persistent Pain
• Metal allergy and metalosis

Causes like infection may require multiple surgeries in revision replacement.

How much does it cost?

Revision replacement cost depends on the number of components needed for surgery. So, it changes from patient to patient and dependant on complexity of surgery needed. But an estimate of surgery and implants will be given before going ahead.

Complications:

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with revision joint replacement. Because the procedure is longer and more complex than primary joint replacement, it has a greater risk of complications. Before your surgery, we will discuss each of the risks with you and will take specific measures to help avoid potential complications.

The possible risks and complications of revision surgery include:

• Poor wound healing
• Reduced range of motion or stiffness in the knee
• Infection in the wound or the new prosthesis
• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the legs, which may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• Bone fracture during surgery
• Damage to nerves or blood vessels
• Medical problems such as heart attack, lung complications, or stroke

Is Revision replacement Successful?

Yes. With newer advances in Implants and surgical techniques almost every case of revision replacement can be managed successfully. But as these procedures are more complex than routine replacement, so required special training and experience. A revision done for right cause and right technique ensures the success of the surgery.