REVISION HIP SURGERY
WHY DO PHYSICIANS REVISE HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERIES?
Orthopedic surgeons perform hip replacement surgery on patients with pain degradation of the hip joint. The hip may degenerate due to osteoarthritis, autoimmune issues, developmental flaws, osteonecrosis, or trauma. Many individuals who undergo a total hip replacement recover quickly and experience a restoration of their previous quality of life. After undergoing a total hip replacement, over time the joint replacement may find itself subject to degenerative changes over time. The body mechanics, acitivity level of the patient, and type of implant used all play a part in when and if a patient needs a revision hip replacement surgery. An unstable hip joint occurs when the components of the hip replacement wear out and potentially cause new damage to the supporting bone of the hip and femur. Revision hip replacement surgery replaces worn artificial hip parts with new metal, plastic or ceramic components. Revision hip replacement surgery replaces damaged bone with allograft tissue.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF NEEDING A REVISION HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
When a hip replacement no longer functions properly, the parts of the hip can cause painful damage to the hip. The longevity of a hip replacement depends on a variety of factors. Studies show that approximately 80% of modern day implants last at least 15 years. Modern day implants have a much longer longevity than prior implants on the market. Factors that decrease the longevity of a hip replacement implant include:
- Weight of the patient
- Type and materal of the implant used
- Activity level of the patient
- Natural anatomy of the patient
Typically patients know when they need to return to an orthopedic hip surgeon. The patient feels pain in the hip area similar to the pain prior to surgery. Some may even need a revision shortly following an initial hip replacement due to factors including infection and reaction to the metals or materials of the implant. Other factors that may lead up to a revision hip replacement include:
- A hip implant that feels loose or unsable
- A hip implant that frequently dislocates
- A high activity level
- A fracture
PREPARING FOR A HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY
A hip replacement revision surgery may appear very similar to the initial joint replacement from the patient’s perspective in terms of preparation and recovery. Before performing a revision hip replaceent surgery, the treating physician requries the patient to get weight, blood sugar, and heart health under control. If he patient smokes, the surgeon often reccomends that the patient stops smoking for a month before the procedure. The patient undergos general anesthesia for the procedure. With a patient under general anesthesia, the patient remains asleep for the duration of the surgery. Once the surgeon completes the surgery, the anesthesiologist wakes the patient up. During a hip replacement revision surgery, the surgeon removes the old hardware from the joint and cleans the joint space. The surgeon performs the revision total hip replacement using either a posterior or anterior approach. The treating orthopedic hip surgeon may utilize allograft and mesh to build up enough bone to seat the joint in the hip. The surgeon may use bone cement in the femoral body if the surgeon cannot achieve a desireable fit with the replacement hardware. A successful hip revision surgery should bring stability back to the joint and reduce or eliminate the hip pain for the patient.
RECOVERING FROM A HIP REPLACEMENT REVISION SURGERY
Recovering from a revision total hip replacement surgery shares many similarities with the initial total hip replacement. With a similar recovery time to the initial hip replacement, the revision hip replaceent also requires physical therapy and lifestyle modification to strengthen the joint and protect from dislocation. While the patient can walk and move quickly after surgery, full recovery typically occurs from six months to a year. Following primary or revision hip replacement surgery, patients often can return to their favorite activties including golf, cycling, and swimming. With modern day implants, the need for revision hip replacements have decreased.
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EXPERIENCING HIP PAIN? CALL 817-375-5200 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN AOA ORTHOPEDIC HIP SPECIALIST TODAY!
