REVISION JOINT REPLACEMENT
Fortunately, the failure rate of joint replacement is very low - less than 1% per year on average. However, there are a number of reasons why patients may require revision surgery after having joint replacement. The most common reasons include loosening or wear of the implant, instability, fracture of the bone around the implant, or infection. Some patients continue to have pain after joint replacement without an obvious mechanical explanation. In these patients, the results of revision surgery are typically poor, and as such, it is usually not recommended to have a revision unless the cause of pain can be identified before surgery.
Who should perform revision joint replacements?
It is important to have a surgeon who performs a high volume of revision joint replacements given the demanding and somewhat unpredictable nature of these procedures. Ideally, your surgeon will have completed a fellowship specifically focusing on joint replacement.
What should you expect after revision joint replacement?
The scope of revision surgery varies widely from relatively small surgeries (exchange of plastic liner) to major surgeries that require longer hospital stays and recoveries. The exact nature of the surgery cannot always be anticipated ahead of time and will sometimes depend on intraoperative findings. Your surgeon should be prepared for all possibilities.