Revision Joint Surgery Specialist
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ARC Orthopedic Group
Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine located in West Hills, CA
Joint replacement surgery is a safe and effective treatment that eliminates the pain of advanced arthritis. But over time, problems with your new joint can develop, and then the solution is revision joint surgery. Board-certified Umesh Bhagia, MD, at ARC Orthopedic Group, specializes in joint revisions, using his surgical skills to restore your joint and give you the ability to move without pain. If you still have symptoms after a joint replacement, call the office in West Hills or Thousand Oaks, California, or request an appointment online today.
Revision Joint Surgery Q&A
What is revision joint surgery?
Revision joint surgery is a procedure to remove and replace all or part of a prosthetic joint. You may need this corrective surgery when you continue to have pain or movement problems after having total joint replacement surgery.
Why would I need revision joint surgery?
Several problems can affect your original joint replacement and lead to revision joint surgery. The most common include:
Old prosthetic
Joint replacements last a long time, often 20 years or longer, but they eventually wear out. When that happens, you need revision surgery to get a new joint replacement.
Loose implant
Over time, the bond between your bone and the prosthetic implant may loosen, causing joint instability and pain.
Dislocation
If your prosthetic joint doesn’t stay in alignment with the joint, the components can become dislocated. That problem often occurs if scar tissue develops or you have weak muscles that don’t provide enough support to the joint.
Fracture
Though this problem isn’t as common as a loose bond or dislocation, it’s possible for the bone around the prosthetic joint to fracture. As a result, the prosthetic loosens.
Infection
Prosthetic joint infections represent a serious complication that may cause bone degeneration and joint instability. However, you may not need a total revision replacement.
What happens during revision joint surgery?
After identifying the reason for the failed prosthetic joint, your surgeon determines the extent of your revision surgery. They may need to replace part or all of the original prosthesis. In some cases, they may also need to repair damaged bones or ligaments.
If you need a joint revision due to an infection, your surgeon bases the procedure on the extent of the infection. Sometimes, ARC Orthopedic Group can treat the infection and then clean the metal parts of the prosthetic and replace the plastic spacers.
In the event you have a severe infection, your surgeon removes the entire prosthetic joint, treats the infection, and replaces the joint. That process typically involves two separate surgeries.
During the first surgery, your surgeon removes the prosthesis and inserts a spacer containing antibiotics. After the infection clears up, they perform a second surgery to remove the temporary spacer and implant a new joint.
If you develop pain after a joint replacement, or the pain never went away, call ARC Orthopedic Group, or schedule an appointment online today.
