A revision hip replacement surgery is a surgical procedure to replace a worn out or failed hip replacement implant. Hip replacements are among the most common procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons. This surgery is generally very successful and has excellent results in the vast majority of patients. Despite this, unfortunately, over time hip replacements can wear out.
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Hip replacements typically wear out very slowly, but the problem does progress over the years. Ten years after a hip replacement, there is a 90% chance the implant will be functioning well. In general, the lifespan of the implant is expected to be 15 to 20 years.
Patients who wear out their prosthesis will require revision hip replacement surgery. Revision hip replacements may also be performed to manage complications such as infection of a hip replacement, hip replacement dislocation, or fractures of the bone around the hip replacement.
The number of hip revisions performed by orthopedic surgeons is growing quickly, at an estimated rate of 8% to 10% each year. Approximately 70,000 revision hip replacements are performed every year in the United States.
As more people are choosing to have a hip replacement, especially at younger ages, the number of revision hip replacements is growing quickly.
Why Hip Replacements Wear Out
Hip replacements can wear out for a variety of reasons. The most common cause of a hip replacement wearing out is called aseptic loosening. Aseptic loosening occurs when the hip implants become loose within the bone. A loose hip implant tends to be painful and usually requires revision hip replacement.
Other causes of a hip replacement wearing out include infection, breaking of the prosthesis, breaking of the bone around the prosthesis, and other complications. Depending on the cause of the implant failing, treatment other than revision hip replacement may be needed.
For example, in the case of infection, the hip replacement may need to be removed to treat the infection, followed by the revision hip replacement months later.
Why Revisions Are Complex
Revision hip replacements are more complicated surgeries, and outcomes may not be as good as after the first hip replacement. Challenges during surgery include assessing the quality of the existing bone and adequately securing the revision hip replacements into position. Furthermore, removing the old hip replacement can necessitate more extensive surgery.
Together, these problems often require the revision hip replacement to be much more complex. Careful planning by your orthopedic surgeon is needed to ensure they will be able to construct a hip that will allow you to adequately function.
Another problem with revision hip replacement is that undergoing the surgery itself can be more complicated. Patients tend to be older, and less tolerant of long surgical procedures. The procedure is technically more difficult than primary hip replacements, and the effects on the patient are more significant. Longer surgeries can typically mean longer time under anesthesia and more blood loss.
Because of this, revision hip replacement must be carefully considered and planned. Involvement of general medical doctors, anesthesiologists, and the orthopedic surgeon are all important.
When to Have Revision Surgery
Only you and your orthopedic surgeon can decide when the time is right for revision hip replacement. Sometimes few symptoms are felt by the patients, but the X-rays will show a reason to consider a revision hip replacement. Other times, despite significant symptoms, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend against revision hip replacement.
We cannot underscore how complex revision hip replacement decision making can be. Not all problems with hip replacements are solved with revision surgery. Each patient must be considered on an individual basis—generalizations cannot be made in the case of revision hip replacement surgery.
If you have a hip replacement and think you may need revision surgery, you should discuss your options with an orthopedic surgeon.
A Word From Verywell
Undergoing a revision hip replacement surgery is a major undertaking. Because of the previous surgery, revision joint replacement is almost always a more difficult surgical procedure and has a higher risk of complications. Successful outcomes may be less.
Revision joint replacement surgeries can be more difficult due to scar tissue, difficulty extracting implants, and the need for specialty implants used during the revision surgery. That said, when the hip replacement stops functioning normally, revision surgery is likely to be necessary to try and restore normal function to the joint.