Revision Arthroplasty – Repair Of The Artificial Hip
Need For Revision Surgery
Artificial hip replacements may fail after 10 to 15 years, or occasionally sooner. The parts may come loose or wear out, or they may break. In some patients with cementless implants, the porous surfaces may not bond properly to the bone. Loose, worn or broken parts may need to be replaced, the surgery called revision arthroplasty surgery.
Complexity Of Revision Surgery
Revision surgery is much more complex and technically much more difficult than first-time surgery. It involves longer operating time and increased blood loss, and may require an increase in the length of the hospital stay. A mini-incision operation is not possible for revision surgery, even though some revision cases are relatively straightforward. Much depends on how difficult it is to remove the prosthesis, and on the quality and quantity of bone left behind after the implant has been removed. The trochanter bone may need to be cut to remove the implant. Wires may be needed to hold the parts together until the bone has healed. Bone grafts from your pelvis and/or from a bone bank may be needed if defects need to be filled with bone. There is a chance that your leg may be shorter or longer than it was before the operation. The femur bone can be fractured during surgery, requiring extra repair procedures. The range of motion may be less than after first-time hip replacements. There is a high risk of dislocation for 12 weeks after revision hip surgery, and restrictions must be continued for at least that long to prevent dislocation. Patients who have revision operations are frequently advised to use a cane full-time, in order to protect the replacement from re-loosening.
A Risky Affair
These complex operations are much riskier than first-time hip replacement surgeries. All the risks associated with first-time hip replacements are present, but the chances of complications occurring are greatly increased. These are among the most difficult procedures performed in orthopedic surgery.
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