Though total hip replacement is one of the most successful procedures in Orthopaedics but, it can still fail over a period of time which can be for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, when this happens then your Orthopaedic surgeon will advice you to have a second operation to remove some or all of the parts of the original hip replacement like the socket or the stem and replace them with new ones. This procedure is called revision total hip replacement.
Is this a simple procedure?
Revision hip replacement is in fact a longer, and a bit more complex procedure. It does require careful planning, as well as the use of specialised implants and tools, in order to achieve a good functional outcome.
What type of revision hip replacement will I have?
In most cases, the surgeon will use specialised hip implants that are designed to compensate for the damaged bone and soft tissue.
I am young when I had my hip replaced, will I need a revision hip replacement?
A hip replacement prosthesis usually lasts for 15 to 20 years. This means that for elderly people, it may last for life. But in younger patients, especially those who maintain an active lifestyle, the hip prosthesis may not last that long and may need to be replaced later in life as they are more likely to “outlive” the life expectancy of their artificial hip.
What is one and two stage procedure?
In some cases, the implants must be completely removed in the first place. If the implants are removed due to deep seated infection, your surgeon may do it in one stage if the microbial result was not a virulent strain or if the revision was done as the hip was aseptically loose. If the microbiology results show a virulent bacteria then it is likely that the revision surgery will be done in 2 stages which is a Gold standard procedure. In the first stage all infected material is removed, then antibiotics are given to treat infection and at second stage after several weeks new hip implants are inserted.
Mr Kempanna is well experienced in doing revision hip replacement surgery and has worked at Southampton hospital, and now working in Manchester at Salford Royal Hospital.