Understanding Revision Hip Replacement

Hip replacement is the surgical procedure which enables the people to lead happy and active lives without debilitating hip pain. It is one of the most successful procedures but may fail in some instances for reasons such as implant wear and loosening, infection, recurrent dislocation, fracture, and allergy to metal, etc.

When first hip replacement surgery fails, then your doctor may recommend second surgery, popularly known as revision hip replacement surgery. During this surgery, your surgeon may replace some or all original prosthesis with new implants. Both the surgeries aim at alleviating the hip pain with the same goals. 

Benefits of Revision Hip Surgery

The following are the few benefits of revision hip replacement surgeries:

• Enough pain relief
• Improved mobility
• Reduced risk of infection

When is Revision Hip Surgery Needed?

Most hip replacements are successful and work well for the first 15 years. After this period, the candidates with hip replacements may experience some worn out their prosthesis. The people with the following reasons may need hip revision surgery:

• Infections, and damage to the prosthesis
• Aseptic loosening
• Bone breakage around the replacement
• Obesity 
• Dislocation of the initial prosthesis
• Mechanical loosening of the device

Patient Assessment

If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort or bleeding, schedule an appointment with Dr Gopal Reddy. He will conduct a physical examination to make sure that you are healthy enough to have a revision hip replacement surgery. If you have any additional medical conditions such as heart disease, then you will be recommended to a specialist before the surgery. 

  As a part of the physical examination, he may order a few imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans or computerized tomography (CT) scan and other laboratory tests such as blood tests.     

Revision Hip Surgical Procedure 

Once the decision for the Revision hip surgery is made, Dr Gopal Reddy will discuss all the options available and fixes a surgery date. On the surgery date, you will be admitted in the hospital and will be given either a general or local, depending on your case. 

Revision hip surgery takes longer than primary hip surgery. Firstly, Dr Gopal Reddy will make an incision at the existing incision sites and removes all the old components. He will then extend the incision and reaches the hip joint. Nextly, he will examine the soft tissues and all parts of the prosthesis in the hip joint, and look for infection and other problems such as implant wear and loosening, recurrent dislocation, fracture, and allergy to metal, etc.

Finally, he will replace the original prosthesis with new or specialized revision implants. He makes sure that the implants are well fixed and places the drain in your hip joint to collect fluid or blood. Then you will be sent to the recovery room, and the supporting staff carefully monitors your anaesthesia.