Revision Hip Replacement

Despite significant improvements in surgical techniques and implant development, joint replacements often require surgical revision for a variety of reasons. Because of bone loss, scarring, and soft tissue compromise, revisions are more complicated and challenging than the original joint replacement. As a procedure, joint revision surgery is similar to the methodology used for joint tumors. For that reason, Dr. Daniel C. Allison and his Los Angeles team are often called upon to treat joint replacement failures with revision hip replacement.

Dr. Allison has extensive experience in the treatment of musculoskeletal structures, which makes him exceptionally qualified in treating complex fractures and degenerative joints of the hip, knee, and shoulder. He provides exceptional care through advanced reconstructive joint surgery and arthroscopic procedures supported by a multi-disciplinary team of orthopedic experts. To schedule a consultation with our orthopedic surgeons in Los Angeles, call (310) 730-8008 and learn more about how a joint replacement revision can help you today.

Symptoms & Diagnosis of Revision Hip Replacement

Revision hip replacement could be a salvage treatment for severe, destructive disorders of the hip joint or a fracture near the implanted device. Revision hip replacements often involve repair of the component implanted in the femur. However, over time, repeated wear or thinning bones may have caused loosening of the femoral stem section of the implant.

Conditions Which Often Cause Joint Destruction
    • Trauma
    • Synovial tumors
    • Degeneration (“wear and tear”)
    • Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
Symptoms Indicating a Joint Replacement Failure
    • Inability to bear weight on affected leg
    • Swelling or bruising around the hip
    • One leg with shorter appearance
    • Pain around the hip

Treatment for a Revision Hip Replacement

For a hip replacement and depending on the patient, Dr. Allison often performs arthroplasty, a surgical procedure replacing diseased bone or damaged hip implant with another device. Before deciding upon a treatment plan, he first evaluates the condition of the joint and implant as well as a patient’s medical health. Our revision hip replacement specialists frequently treat cancer patients and often, a damaged hip joint could be attributed to a metastasized tumor.

Total joint replacement involves resection of the entire cartilage surfaces and their replacement with metal and plastic. These pieces can be secured through cementation with medical bone cement or through immediate press-fit followed by delayed bone ingrowth.

For revision hip replacements, Dr. Allison is one of a handful of surgeons who performs the direct anterior method. The result is less damage and trauma to the soft issues around the hip, quicker recovery time, and better support to the hip structure overall.

Learn more about this total joint surgery from niams.nih.gov.