What is revision joint replacement?
Revision joint replacement is a surgery in which Dr. Weber removes your hip or knee implant and then cements a new one in its place. Dr. Weber regularly performs revision joint replacements for men and women who have trouble with their hip or knee joint replacements.
When would I need revision joint replacement?
Joint replacements last for 10-20 years in 90% of patients. But, if you're one of the growing number of Americans who have joint replacement at a relatively young age, this means you could need a new implant within your lifetime, even if you get the very best results from your initial surgery.
Although the metal and plastic components of your joint replacement are extremely durable, problems can occur. This may lead to revision surgery. Common reasons for revision joint replacement include:
Implant loosening
Years of daily friction can cause wear-and-tear that loosens the implant connection to your bone. A fracture can also cause implant loosening. A loose implant can be painful and may cause instability, too.
Joint dislocation
Joint dislocation means your joint pops out of position. There are a few reasons this can happen, including scar tissue around the implant, muscle atrophy around your joint, or lack of conditioning during your implant surgery recovery.
Infection
Although it's rare, infection could potentially develop around the prosthetic joint. This can cause severe pain and swelling.
Your implant could potentially grow unstable, painful, or weak for other reasons, as well. If you start having pain in the area of your joint replacement, see Dr. Weber for an evaluation right away so he can determine the issue and get you back to normal function quickly.
What does revision joint replacement involve?
Dr. Weber creates a unique surgery plan for every revision joint replacement. In some cases, the procedure is very straightforward, involving removal of the old implant and installation of the new one.
But, in many cases, there's serious damage in the surrounding joint structures and advanced bone wear. These factors might make a standard implant ineffective. In that case, Dr. Weber uses a specialized type of implant with a longer stem, special metal augments, bone grafts, or a combination of these things to accommodate for your lost bone and keep the new implant stable.
To learn more about revision joint replacement that lasts, call Ian C. Weber, MD, or click the online request form now.
