Due to its nature it can be difficult to get “just right”. Surgeons who undertake revision surgery have a particular interest and expertise in this area. The Australian Joint Replacement registry indicates that at two years from revision surgery, 10% have undergone a further surgical procedure on that hip, and at 10 years, 20% have needed more surgery.  The common reasons are dislocation (4%), loosening (2.5%), infection (2.5%), and fracture (1%).

Our group has performed some 285 revision hip operations between 2007 & 2016 (in contrast to the 1504 primary hip replacements in that time).  The majority of the operations have been for older style implants becoming loose or wearing out.

Our approach to revision surgery:

• pre-operatively work up the patient to understand what individual patient risk exists – including infection.
• use a cell saver & tranexamic acid to minimise blood loss and blood transfusion.
• provide a stable construct that allows early weight bearing
• perform Local Infiltration Analgesia and other rapid recovery techniques.

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The majority of the patients are fit enough to leave hospital within a few days of surgery.