Revision Hip Replacement
If your hip replacement is no longer working as it should, you may be given the option to have a revisional hip replacement. This procedure can be minor or require major changes to your bone and hip components. In minor cases, only part of the original hip implant may need to be replaced.
Why should I have revisional hip replacement?
Revisional hip replacement is typically an option when hip pain and immobility begin to affect your daily living despite your original procedure. Some factors that might indicate the need for revision include:
- Return of pain
- Wear and loosening of the components
- Instability or dislocation of the hip
- Bone loss
- Infection
Will revisional surgery be the same as my first hip replacement?
Revisional surgery can vary greatly, depending on the condition of your hip and the original implant. If you have bone loss or need all of the components replaced, the surgery may be more extensive than your original procedure. The recovery, benefits, and risks are generally the same. However, there may be a slightly higher risk of complications when a hip replacement is performed for a second time.
What are the risks of revisional hip surgery?
As with any replacement surgery, there are risks. Some risks include:
- Blood clots
- Damaged nerves or blood vessels
- Hip dislocation
- Infection
- Broken bone or fracture
- Muscle weakness
- Continued pain
What is recovery like for revisional hip replacement?
You’ll most likely be in the hospital for five to seven days after revisional hip replacement. Your care team will work with you to get you up and moving in the first day or two after surgery. You’ll work with a physical therapist to help you begin to regain movement.
In most cases, you’ll need a cane or walker when you leave the hospital. At around six weeks, most patients are starting to walk normally and can drive again. It’s important to follow up with your doctor regularly to make sure your replacement is working well.
Your care team will provide you with a list of precautions to help ensure you do not injure your hip. At home, you will need help during the first few weeks. In general, you should sleep with a pillow between your legs, avoid low chairs, use grabbers or other tools to get dressed, avoid bending over, and avoid bending your hip while turning your foot in.