Revision Total Hip Replacement

Loosening and Wear of Implants:

An implant must remain securely linked to the bone in order for a complete hip replacement to operate effectively. The hip replacement components were either cemented into place or “push-fit” into the bone during the initial operation to allow the bone to grow onto them. However, the bone may fail to grow onto press-fit components in some cases. Furthermore, cemented or press-fit components that were previously firmly bonded to the bone might loosen with time, resulting in hip discomfort. The cause of loosening isn’t always evident, although it might be due to recurrent high-impact sports, extra body weight, or wear of the plastic liner between the ball and the metal cup.

Recurrent Dislocation:
The ball-and-socket construction of a hip replacement is similar to that of your native hip. The ball must stay within the socket for a hip replacement to perform properly. The ball can get displaced from the socket due to trauma or specific hip postures. The medical name for this is “hip dislocation.” Recurrent hip dislocations may necessitate revision surgery to properly align your hip joint or the implantation of a specific implant designed to prevent dislocations.

Fracture:
A periprosthetic fracture happens when a bone breaks surrounding the implant’s components. The most common cause of these fractures is a fall, and they frequently necessitate revision surgery. Your doctor will evaluate many criteria when determining if a revision is necessary, including the quantity of residual bone, whether your implant is loose, and the location of the fracture.

Infection:
Any surgical surgery, including total hip replacement, has the risk of infection. Bacteria attach themselves to the surface of the prosthesis, causing infection. Infection might strike while you’re still in the hospital or after you’ve returned home. It might even happen years later. It can be uncomfortable and the implant may lose its adhesion to the bone if a complete hip replacement becomes infected. Even if the implant is securely attached to the bone, the infection may cause discomfort, instability, and drainage. Revision surgery is frequently required because germs cannot be easily removed from a joint replacement with antibiotics alone.

Metal Allergy and Reaction to Metal Ions:
Metals used in implants can break down or degrade over time, causing microscopic particles to fall off the device and into the surrounding area. This is more prevalent with “metal-on-metal” devices, which include metal ball and socket components. Sensitivity to the metal ions in these particles can cause injury to the bone and soft tissues around the hip, necessitating revision surgery in some individuals. A patient’s allergy to the metal used in implants might produce discomfort around the implant site in very rare circumstances. However, there is no conclusive agreement among clinicians in this scenario about metal allergy, and additional research is needed.