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Revision Hip Replacement Surgery

This page contains information about revision hip replacement: A redo procedure resulting from failure of the primary, or first total hip replacement.

Woman with her hand on her hip

Introduction

Modern hip replacement has been hugely beneficial for patients with arthritic hip disease providing them with reduction of pain, return of function and the consequent improved quality of life that has resulted. The clinical success of total hip replacement (THR) is often taken for granted by the general population.

There is evidence of increased longevity (twenty years or more) with some total joint replacements, but many of these mechanical joints fail at around fifteen years when the hip joint loosens. Revision hip surgery is technically extremely difficult and few orthopaedic surgeons have extensive experience in this field. Evert Smith has performed revision hip surgery on a regular and frequent basis since 1992.

Surgical Approaches

There are four approaches to the hip and access takes advantage of the muscular planes surrounding the hip joint.

Anterior (front) Approach
The anterior approach has been revitalised for minimally invasive surgery (MIS)a procedure that Evert Smith specialises in that can significantly reduce recovery time — when performing a total hip replacement.
Two Lateral (side) Approaches
The anterolateral approach is the most commonly used approach for THR.
The direct lateral approach exposes the hip joint by detaching the upper end of the thigh bone (the greater trochanter).
Posterior (rear) Approach
The posterior approach is the second most common approach when performing a THR.

Approaches for Revision Hip Surgery

The approaches are the same as for primary hip replacements but the surgical approach can be extended for increased exposure for what is a more complex procedure.

Advantages

  • Relief of pain and restoration of hip function
  • Return to a full and active life style

Disadvantages

  • Failure of the hip implant over time
  • Inherent risks of surgery

Indications

  • Revision surgery is required for patients when the hip implant has failed

Contraindications

  • Patients who are frail and have severe heart conditions
  • The presence of active infection is a contraindication to hip surgery

Possible Complications

Recovery

On the first day most patients will have had their intravenous drip removed.

The physiotherapist will see you after surgery and will begin with muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. You will be taught the safe way of getting in and out of bed.

You will learn how to use a support and you will be encouraged to take exercise on a regular basis. By the time of discharge, from around 3 to 7 days, you will be able to perform all activities unassisted.

You will be able to go home in a car and it may be best to have some help when you return home.

Walking is good for your hip joint and excellent exercise. Non-impact sports are advisable and these include swimming, cycling and golf. Your functional ability will improve rapidly week by week until you are able to drive a car at 6 weeks.

Revision Hip Surgery in Detail

As more primary arthroplasties are performed, particularly in young patients to try and attain an improved quality of life, the risk of revision surgery increases. The problem with revision surgery is that removal of the hip prosthesis and replacement with a second, third and even fourth artificial joint requires increased technical skills, an array of specialist equipment and bone grafting facilities. These complex operations have a longer operation time, a longer rehabilitation and a higher complication rate. Unfortunately it is not the same as replacing a mechanical part where once the new part is in place the machine continues to perform as if it were new.

The problem lies in the fact that the mechanical components wear and loosen. The loosening of these components within the bony supports is often associated with bone resorption (osteolysis) and the surrounding scaffolding for subsequent hip replacements is weakened.

Exceed-ABT-Multihole

Jumbo cups made with cobalt chrome alloy have been the workhorse for revision hip surgery over several decades. However, acetabular shells made with porous metals are now in use. The pores in the metal mimic coral and are of a size appropriate for increased bone in-growth. Canine model studies confirmed rapid bone in-growth and early vascularity.

Porous metals are highly bio-compatible and at the same time they are strong, flexible and impart high friction. These metals may be either pure tantalum or pure titanium.

The technological advance in revision femoral stems has reduced the need for bulk and impaction bone grafting. The restoration of bone stock still however remains a primary requirement of revision hip replacement. Modular stems with adjustable necks and offsets and lengths allow for primary fixation using porous and hydroxyapatite coating and screw fixation if necessary.

Revision hip surgery is also performed because of dislocation of the components, subluxation/dislocation of the liner from the acetabular shell, deep infection, surrounding fracture of bone, prosthetic fracture and subsidence of the femoral stem.

The majority of patients present with pain in the region of the hip which often radiates down the thigh into the knee and occasionally into the upper region of the lower leg. The pain may be initiated by movement, for example, when rising from a sitting position, and is often worse at night.

The pain is frequently associated with a decreased functional ability, a limp and possibly a shortened leg on the affected side.

A careful history, clinical and radiological examination will provide your orthopaedic surgeon with the necessary information to confirm the diagnosis.

The patient needs to understand the realistic goals of this type of surgery. Complications are more frequent than with primary hip arthroplasty. There is at least a two-fold increase of sepsis and in general all complications are doubled.

Dislocation can range from 2 – 26% with increase in recurrent instability. With each revision operation the risk of complications increase with nerve injuries ranging from 3 – 8%.

The majority of revision hip operations require restoration or replacement of lost bone which remains a priority at surgery.

Bone grafting procedures may alter the post–operative management and patients may be required to use crutches for prolonged periods. Rehabilitation tends to progress more slowly than after a primary THR.