Each year, more than a million men and women undergo hip replacement surgery and knee replacement surgery, in order to help relieve pain, provide greater stability and improve strength and range of motion in joints damaged by arthritis or other disease or trauma.
While a large majority of procedures are straightforward and achieve excellent outcomes, in a few instances, complications can develop that require a second surgery to correct. This is called revision surgery, and it requires careful pre-surgical planning and preparation in order to ensure the complications are resolved and the outcome is optimized for the patient’s needs.
When is revision necessary?
Revision surgery is performed when the artificial joint fails in some way, causing pain, mobility issues or other problems that require surgical intervention to correct. Depending upon the type of failure that occurs, either the entire joint or just a portion of it will need to be replaced.
Before revision surgery occurs, the joint will be carefully evaluated to ensure the best possible approach for resolution of the issues you’re experiencing. Some of the most common reasons for joint revision surgery include infection, loosening or displacement of the artificial joint components, wear and tear on components over time, joint instability or stiffness, persistent pain in the joint, or fractures of the bone surrounding the joint components, usually as the result of a fall.
What happens during a revision procedure?
That depends in part on the cause of the revision. Generally, surgery involves removing the damaged portions of the failed artificial joint and preparing the bones using special techniques to help strengthen them and reinforce them before inserting new components into the joint space.
In hip revision surgery, the plastic liner in the hip socket, or acetabulum, is carefully removed and a wire mesh material is used to line and reinforce the bone before inserting a new component and securing it with cement or special surgical screws.
The thigh bone, or femur, is carefully incised to remove the stem portion of the implant that extends into the bone. A new stem portion is inserted and secured, usually using surgical wire to reinforce the femur. Knee replacement also involves special techniques to remove the failed components and replace them with new components, using added reinforcement when necessary to ensure the joint is stable and secure.
What is recovery like?
As a revision patient, you understand the recovery and rehabilitation processes necessary for an optimal outcome. Before surgery takes place and then again following surgery, you’ll receive complete information about the rehabilitation program you’ll need to undergo in order to adjust to your new joint and learn important techniques to ensure the joint remains optimally functional.
Adhering to your program of rehabilitation is essential to your recovery, and having regular follow-up appointments to assess your progress is also very important. Rehabilitation following a revision surgery often begins immediately after the surgery and continues for about three months in most patients.
Why choose Dr. Karkare?
Revision surgery requires special expertise and considerable experience in order to achieve the best possible results. Unlike initial joint replacement surgery, revision procedures require more complex techniques and a deep understanding of the methods used to reinforce joints that have been compromised by implant failures.
Dr. Karkare is one of New York City’s leading experts in revision procedures, with extensive experience and high rates of success following revision surgery, using the most advanced techniques and technology to enable every patient to get the customized care necessary for the best possible outcome. To learn more and to schedule an evaluation, use our online contact form or call right now at (516) 735-4032.