Revision Joint Replacement Specialists

A revision joint replacement is a surgery that fixes or replaces an existing joint replacement implant. Though some of these surgeries are needed because of old or worn implants, the vast majority of joint revisions are for patients who state their original implant “never felt right.” Most of MCJR’s revision joint replacement patients have had their original surgery elsewhere.

Most patients come to us complaining of pain and/or swelling in the joint that has already been replaced. The #1 reason for needing a revision joint replacement is infection. However, some other common reasons include fracture around the implant, loosening of the implant for a variety of reasons, and wear-and-tear from an old implant. These things can happen soon after a joint replacement or after decades of good function.

Some of the most common reasons you may need a revision are:

• History of infection
  • Post-op infection rarely occurs, especially at our surgery facilities. But if you get an infection either soon after surgery or years down the road, you will likely need a revision. If you notice significant swelling, tenderness, and redness around your joint, you can call our nurse team (whether you’re a current patient of ours or not!) and they will get you in to see a surgeon.
• Fall or accident
  • With aging comes weakening bones and a higher likelihood of injury from falling. If you fall on your implant or experience any accident, come see your surgeon to make sure everything looks ok.
• Obesity
  • Although modern implants can last upwards of 20 years, being overweight will wear your joints out faster. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, being even 10 pounds overweight increases the force on one’s knees by 30-60 pounds.
• Involvement in high-impact sports
  • Many joint replacement patients can happily return to the sports they love. But those who participate heavily in high-impact sports that involve a lot of running may need a revision surgery down the road. This level of impact on an implant can wear it out or loosen it faster.

If you’re having significant or persistent trouble with an existing joint replacement, our surgeons will determine your need of a revision through x-ray and a physical exam.

In a revision joint replacement surgery, your surgeon removes some or all parts of the original implant and replaces them. If your entire implant is faulty or worn down, then your surgeon will remove it and replace it with a new one. However, if just a part of your implant needs to be revised, your surgeon will customize an implant to replace what needs to be replaced.

If a part of your bone is damaged by a fall or incident, your surgeon will likely use specialized implants with longer stems to fit deeper into the bone so that your bones will have extra support. In these cases, your surgeon will spend some additional time customizing your implant to ensure stability and durability.