Hip Revision Surgery: What Is It and Why You Might Need It?
Hip replacement surgery is a common procedure that helps relieve chronic pain in patients with hip joint problems. The procedure entails the removal of the natural hip and replacement with an artificial ball and socket joint.
With time, however, the hip implant becomes susceptible to wear and tear, sometimes even necessitating Chevy Chase hip revision surgery. Keep reading to find out more about this procedure and why you might need it.
What Is Hip Revision Surgery?
Hip revision surgery entails the removal of the previous prosthesis and replacement with a new one. It is a complex procedure that requires staying at the health facility for about five days. You must also take antibiotics for weeks after the surgery and avoid straining the affected joint.
The complexity of hip revision surgery is amplified by the previous surgery, which means there may be scar tissue. Additionally, most hip revision surgery patients tend to be older, which makes recovery more complex. Given the difficulty and hardship of this complicated procedure, it is sometimes not the best way to deal with a hip problem.
When Might You Need Hip Revision Surgery?
Read on to understand why you may need one.
Your Hip Replacement is Worn Out
One of the main reasons you might need hip revision surgery is that your previous prosthesis is worn out. This happens because the hip replacement is made of metal, which is susceptible to wear and tear.
Generally, hip replacements can stay in place for 15 to 20 years without wearing so much as to require replacement. However, some factors, like being overweight or engaging in high-impact exercises, can hasten this wearing out. Additionally, if you get your hip replacement early on, you risk outliving its useful life, thus requiring replacement.
You Have an Infection of the Hip Replacement Joint
Another reason your physician may recommend hip revision surgery is if you get an infection in and around your prosthesis. Bacterial infections affect the tissue around the replacement, thus loosening its attachment to the bone. They can also be severely painful.
Since antibiotics cannot sufficiently remove the bacteria in the prosthesis, hip revision surgery is usually necessary. It entails removing the affected joint replacement, cleaning the area, and placing a new prosthesis.
You Get a Fracture of the Bones Around the Hip Joint
Fractures of the bones to which the joint replacement is attached can also necessitate hip revision surgery, especially if the implant gets loose due to impact during the fracture.
You Experience Frequent Dislocation
You may also need hip revision surgery if you experience frequent hip dislocations, as these can be excruciating. However, your physician may advise against removing the implant and opt to align the joint if the problem is not too severe.
You Have an Allergic Reaction to Metallic Ions
When the implant wears and tears due to use, it sometimes releases metallic ions to the tissue surrounding the area. This may cause an allergic reaction leading to bone damage, tissue damage, and in rare cases, pain in the region. Under such circumstances, your physician may advise that you get hip revision surgery.
Hip revision surgery may be complex, but it can also tremendously save you from debilitating pain and improve your quality of life. You may need hip revision surgery in case of an infection, fracture, allergic reaction to metallic ions, or normal wear and tear. Be sure to bring any concerns about your hip implant to your physician so they can advise you on the appropriateness of hip revision surgery.
