REVISION JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Of course, total joint surgery is one of the most successful surgeries of the century. But it may also fail sometimes.

The goal of the total joint replacement surgery is to relieve the pain of the involved joint (hip, knee, etc.) and restore your mobility and function. For the vast majority of people, the primary joint replacement lasts for years. However, with time, the joint replacement may start failing for various reasons. When it fails, you may experience pain, swelling, and difficulty in performing daily activities. This is when you need a revision joint replacement surgery.

Revision surgery is a more complex procedure and needs extensive evaluation and planning for the surgery. Revision surgery is different from the primary joint replacement surgery. This revision surgery is far more difficult than the primary joint replacement surgery.

1) Loosening:

Every artificial implant has a certain life. The wear here involves the life of the implant. In the primary surgery, the artificial implant is fixed in the bones of your femur and tibia with cement. Bone is a living tissue and it is in constant change over time. Bone can erode or bone loss can be generated in the bone over time. This can cause the implant to become loose and may start acting like a heavy stone in the bone.

Polyethene (which is a high-grade plastic) is placed in between the metallic components; implant may wear down leading to loosening. Small particles of the polyethene may get trapped in the bone, and over time these particles may cause the patient's own immune system to react and cause bone loss. This is called osteolysis.

2) Infection:

Infection is something which is very serious for the patients as well as for the surgeons. It can happen during the operation, in the recovery room, or after you have gone home. It can even occur years after the surgery and at any period of patient's remaining life.

  • Fever and chills.
  • Redness and warmth around the surgical area.
  • Pain that is constant, even at rest.

3) Malalignment:

Malalignment of the components is one of the common causes for the painful arthroplasty soon after the surgery. Improper positioning can lead to instability and early wear of the joint.

4) Fracture of the bone or implant:

Periprosthetic fractures can occur during a fall or a trauma, leading to the failure of the joint replacement. In such cases, the existing implant may need to be replaced with a revision implant.