When Do You Need Revision Hip Replacement Surgery?
Hip revision surgery is a procedure where your previously hip replacement implant is removed and replaced. A revision for a hip replacement is rarer and more surgically complex than the initial joint replacement.
When Is Hip Revision Surgery Needed?
The typical life of a hip replacement implant is 20 years. If a person is in their 80s, that implant may last them the rest of their lives. However, with younger patients (especially if they are more active), the hip implant may need replacing as they age.
Aside from normal wear-and-tear, a hip replacement revision surgery may be recommended due to:
Loosening between the prosthetic hip joint and the bone
Infection
Implant instability
Implant dislocation
Dr. Cafferky and his team at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics will only recommend hip revision surgery if all other treatment options have been exhausted. Although the surgical risks are similar to the initial hip replacement, hip revision surgery can have additional complications.
Compilations for a revision hip replacement include:
Bone loss in the hip joint
Hip dislocation
Loosening of the new hip implant
Scar tissue around the hip joint
Bone fractures
The majority of these complications are due to the hip bone being weaker due to your age and the initial hip replacement surgery.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From Hip Revision Surgery?
Hip revision surgery is an outpatient procedure. Nearly all of Dr. Cafferky’s patients are able to leave the hospital a few hours after their surgery and recover in the comfort of their own homes.
Total recovery from hip revision surgery is a gradual process. Dr. Cafferky and his team will provide you with initial instructions for home care to help reduce swelling, manage pain, and increase your range of motion.
Recovery for hip revision surgery typically follows the steps outlined below:
Initial focus on pain management and preventing complications
Regular follow-ups to monitor healing and progress
Using crutches or a walker to avoid putting stress on the new joint
At-home exercises to help regain mobility, flexibility, and strength
Physical therapy to improve your daily movements
Walking without the aid of mobility devices
Returning to daily activities
Since recovery time for hip revision surgery can take longer than a hip replacement procedure, some people take over a year to fully recover. It’s important to note that the typical life expectancy of a revision hip implant is between eight and ten years,
Schedule a Consultation With a Hip Revision Specialist You Can Trust
Because hip revision surgery is much more complex than a standard hip replacement, it’s crucial to find an orthopaedic joint specialist with a track record of positive patient outcomes.
Dr. Nathan Cafferky is a highly-rated, Fellowship-trained orthopaedic joint physician with a history of performing joint revision surgery. World-renowned for his expert care, Dr. Cafferky is dedicated to helping his patients reclaim their lives and return to the activities they love.
Schedule a consultation today by calling (970) 476-1100 or via the online appointment form.