Hip and knee joint replacement orthopedic surgery has a very high rate of success. However, there may still be a need for revision joint
replacement surgery in cases where the prosthesis comes loose, the surfaces of the bearing wear out, or the patient sustains trauma with associated fracture adjacent to the knee or hip joint.
In many cases, a “revision” total joint replacement warrants the removal of components that have been previously implanted.
Revision procedures can be complicated and require that the surgeon should be an expert in undertaking complex challenges that occur intra-operatively. Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides revision joint surgery to patients in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.
Improved Techniques
In the past decade, there have been major advances in revision total hip and knee orthopedic surgery technology. Joint replacement specialists use this technology to address complicated problems pertaining to unsuccessful hip or knee replacements much more effectively than previously possible.
Hip and knee joint replacements are prosthetic joints. This means that they may wear out with time. Therefore, it is essential for the patient to visit their surgeon every one to two years following replacement surgery for exams and radiographs.
Revision Hip Joint Replacement Procedure
Revision total hip replacement can be a complicated surgery. It usually takes a longer time to perform than the primary hip replacement procedure. In a majority of cases, the surgery spans several hours.
The surgeon commences the procedure by following the incision line created during the patient’s primary total hip replacement. However, the surgeon may extend this incision to enable the removal of previously implanted components. After the surgeon places the incision, the hip joint will be exposed.
Subsequent to exposing the joint, the surgeon will evaluate the soft tissues in the hip to ensure that there is no infection or other issues such as a reaction to the metal components. They will examine every part of the prosthesis to establish the ones that have worn out, become loose, or shifted from their position.
The surgeon will then take out the primary implant cautiously to conserve as much bone as they possibly can. In case there was cement usage in the primary total hip replacement, the surgeon will remove this as well. Elimination of cement from bone is a time-intensive procedure that will add to the length and complexity of the revision surgery.
Sometimes the surgeon will perform a controlled “fracture” of the femur (thighbone) to remove a well-fixed stem. Then they will put the femur back together after the new stem placement.
The surgeon will prepare the surfaces of the bones in the pelvis and the femur for revision implants after the removal of the original implants. In certain cases, there may be a major loss of bone in these regions. If this is the case, the surgeon will use a bone graft or metal augments to make up for the lack of bone.
Lastly, the surgeon will place the specialized revision implants. At times, a number of screws are needed to hold the new cup in position until bone develops in the area. Experienced orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan provides revision joint surgery replacement procedures to patients in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas.
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Century City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
