Revision hip replacement is an operation to remove or correct a hip replacement that has failed and to replace some or all of its parts. Most hip replacements work well for many years, but some become painful, loose, unstable or infected, and a further operation may then be needed.
Revision surgery is usually more complex than a first hip replacement, because of scar tissue, loss of bone around the old implant and, in some cases, infection. Finding the cause of failure before surgery is the most important step, because it decides how the revision is planned.
PMG Hospital (PMG Orthopedic Hospital), Gota, is an orthopedic hospital for revision hip replacement in Ahmedabad. This page explains why hip replacements fail, warning signs, tests, types of revision surgery, implants, recovery, risks and cost factors.
What Is Revision Hip Replacement?
In revision hip replacement, some or all of the components of an earlier hip replacement are removed and replaced. In some cases only the ball and liner are exchanged; in others the cup in the socket and the stem in the thigh bone are also replaced. Because bone is often lost around a failed implant, revision implants frequently use longer stems, special cups, metal augments or cages, or bone graft, to rebuild support.
Related pages: Hip replacement·Total hip replacement·Revision knee, hip and shoulder replacement
Why a Hip Replacement May Need Revision
| Cause | What happens | What you may notice |
|---|---|---|
| Loosening | The implant loosens from the bone | Pain in the groin or thigh, especially on standing and walking |
| Wear and osteolysis | The liner wears, and the wear particles can cause bone loss around the implant | Often no symptoms at first; pain later; may be seen on X-rays |
| Infection around the implant (periprosthetic joint infection) | Bacteria settle on the implant | Pain, swelling, warmth, redness, wound discharge, sometimes fever |
| Repeated dislocation | The ball comes out of the socket more than once | Sudden pain, a leg that looks shorter or turned, inability to walk |
| Fracture around the implant (periprosthetic fracture) | A bone breaks near the implant, often after a fall | Sudden pain, swelling and inability to stand |
| Component position or leg length | Parts of the implant are not positioned well | Instability, a limp, or a difference in leg length |
| Reaction to metal wear particles | Mainly with older metal-on-metal implants; metal debris can damage the tissue around the hip | Pain, swelling or a lump around the hip; blood tests for metal levels and scans may be advised |
Signs That a Hip Replacement May Be Failing
- Pain in the groin, thigh or buttock that returns after a period of good function
- A feeling that the hip is unstable, or one or more dislocations
- A new limp or a change in leg length
- Warmth, redness, wound discharge or fever, which can be signs of infection and need urgent assessment
- Sudden pain after a fall
Not every painful hip replacement needs revision. Pain can also come from the spine, tendons or other structures around the hip, so a careful assessment is needed before any decision. A revision hip replacement doctor in Ahmedabad first finds out why the hip is painful, because the cause decides the treatment. Because wear and bone loss can occur without symptoms, regular follow-up X-rays are advised after hip replacement.
Tests Before Revision Surgery
- 1History and examination: details of the first operation, when the pain started, stability, leg length, walking and the spine
- 2Records of the first surgery: operation notes and the implant details, if available
- 3X-rays: to look for loosening, wear, bone loss, fracture and implant position, compared with earlier X-rays
- 4Blood tests for infection: such as ESR and CRP
- 5Joint aspiration: fluid is taken from the hip with a needle, usually under imaging guidance, and tested for infection when infection is suspected; antibiotics should not be started before this unless the doctor advises
- 6CT scan or other imaging: in selected cases, to plan for bone loss and component position
- 7Fitness for surgery: heart, lung, kidney and blood sugar checks, and correction of anaemia and nutrition when needed
Revision Hip Replacement Surgery in Ahmedabad: Types of Revision
The type of operation depends on the cause of failure. The main options are similar in any revision hip replacement surgery hospital in Ahmedabad:
| Type of revision | When it is used | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange of ball and liner | Wear of the liner, or some cases of instability, when the cup and stem are well fixed | Only the removable ball and liner are replaced |
| Single-stage revision | Loosening, wear with bone loss, instability, fracture or malposition without infection; selected infections | The failed parts are removed and new parts are fitted in the same operation |
| Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention | Early infection (shortly after surgery or of recent onset) with a well-fixed implant | The joint is washed out, infected tissue is removed, the removable parts are changed and antibiotics are given |
| Two-stage revision | Long-standing infection | First operation: the implant is removed and a temporary antibiotic-loaded spacer is placed, with a course of antibiotics. Second operation, usually after some weeks or months: the new implant is fitted once the infection is controlled |
Revision implants may use longer stems that anchor further down the thigh bone, special cups with extra screws, metal augments or cages, and bone graft to make up for bone loss. Cups that lower the risk of dislocation, such as dual-mobility cups, may be used for instability. Sometimes the upper thigh bone is cut and repaired in a controlled way (extended trochanteric osteotomy) to remove a well-fixed stem safely. Fractures around an implant are treated either by fixing the bone with plates and wires or by revising the stem, depending on whether the stem is loose.
A revision hip replacement treatment hospital should also be able to treat infection around an implant, including staged surgery and long courses of antibiotics.
First Hip Replacement and Revision Surgery Compared
| Feature | First (primary) hip replacement | Revision hip replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A worn natural hip | A failed implant, scar tissue, possible bone loss or infection |
| Removing old parts | Not needed | Often the most demanding part of the operation |
| Implants | Standard components | Revision stems, cups, augments or cages; sometimes bone graft |
| Operating time | Usually about one to two hours | Usually longer |
| Recovery | Usually weeks to a few months | Usually longer; up to a year after complex reconstruction |
| Risk of complications | Lower | Higher |
Risks and Possible Complications
Revision hip replacement carries higher risks than a first hip replacement. The surgeon explains these risks before taking consent.
- Infection, including infection that returns after treatment for an infected implant
- Dislocation, which is more common after revision surgery
- Bleeding, sometimes needing blood transfusion
- Blood clots in the leg veins or lungs
- Fracture of the bone during or after surgery
- Injury to nerves or blood vessels, including the sciatic nerve, which is rare
- Difference in leg length
- Loosening or failure of the new implant, or failure of bone graft to heal, which may need further surgery
- Continuing pain or a limp in some patients
- Wound healing problems, especially when there is scarring from earlier operations
- Anaesthesia-related and general medical risks, such as heart, lung or kidney problems
Recovery After Revision Hip Replacement
| Time | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| First days | Hospital stay, pain control, first movement and walking with support when allowed |
| First few weeks | Walking with a walker or crutches, wound healing, physiotherapy |
| 6–12 weeks | Gradual return to daily activities as strength improves |
| 3–6 months | Good function for many patients |
| Up to a year | Further improvement after complex reconstruction with bone grafting |
| Long term | Regular follow-up X-rays to check the implant |
This is a general guide. Some patients need to limit weight on the leg for a period, for example after bone grafting or fracture fixation, and hip precautions may be advised to reduce the risk of dislocation. After a two-stage revision, recovery includes the period between the two operations.
How Long Does a Revision Hip Implant Last?
Revision implants can work for many years, but on average they do not last as long as a first hip replacement, and the chance of needing further surgery is higher. How long they last depends on the reason for the first failure, the bone quality, whether infection was present, and the patient's weight and activity. Regular follow-up visits and X-rays help to detect problems early.
Revision Hip Replacement Surgery Hospital in Ahmedabad
Before choosing a revision hip replacement hospital in Ahmedabad, check that the treating surgeon is a qualified orthopaedic surgeon with valid medical council registration and experience in revision surgery, that tests for infection (including joint aspiration and microbiology) are available, which revision implants can be used, whether blood transfusion and intensive care are available, what physiotherapy and follow-up are provided, and what the written estimate includes.
Revision Hip Replacement Surgery Cost in Ahmedabad
- The reason for revision and the extent of bone loss
- One operation or two (for example, two-stage revision for infection)
- The revision implants, augments, cages or bone graft needed
- Length of hospital stay, room category and any intensive care
- Antibiotics and other medicines
- Other medical conditions, physiotherapy and follow-up
A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.
Insurance
- Medically necessary hip replacement is generally covered under health insurance policies, subject to policy terms, waiting periods and insurer approval
- Some policies have limits on room rent or implant costs; check these with your insurer before surgery
- Ask the hospital whether cashless treatment is available with your insurer, and which documents are needed
Some insurance policies have specific terms for revision surgery. Check your policy and arrange pre-authorisation before planned surgery.
Revision Hip Replacement Doctor in Ahmedabad
Revision hip replacement is planned and performed by an orthopaedic surgeon who works in joint replacement and revision surgery. A family physician may see you first for a painful hip replacement and refer you, but finding the cause of failure and planning the revision is done by the orthopaedic surgeon. Different doctors and team members are involved at different stages:
| Doctor or team member | Role in revision hip replacement |
|---|---|
| Family physician | First assessment of a painful or unstable hip replacement; referral to an orthopaedic surgeon |
| Orthopaedic (joint replacement) surgeon | Finds the cause of failure, plans the type of revision and the implants, and performs the operation |
| Radiologist | Performs and reports X-rays and CT scans, and may perform image-guided joint aspiration |
| Microbiologist | Tests joint fluid and tissue samples to find any infection and guide the choice of antibiotics |
| Physician | Checks heart, lung, kidney and blood sugar control, and helps manage long courses of antibiotics |
| Anaesthetist | Assesses fitness for a longer operation and plans anaesthesia, pain relief and blood transfusion if needed |
| Physiotherapist | Guides walking, weight limits and hip precautions during recovery |
Revision Hip Replacement Surgery Doctor in Ahmedabad
Before agreeing to the operation, it is reasonable to ask your revision hip replacement surgery doctor in Ahmedabad a few clear questions. The answers help you understand the plan and give informed consent.
- What is the cause of failure in my hip, and which tests showed it?
- Has infection been ruled out, and is a joint aspiration needed before surgery?
- Will only some parts be changed, or the whole implant?
- How much bone has been lost, and will a longer stem, augments, a cage or bone graft be needed?
- Do you need the operation notes and implant details from my first hip replacement?
- Is a blood transfusion likely, and how is blood loss managed during surgery?
- Will I need to limit weight on the leg or follow hip precautions after surgery, and for how long?
- How often are follow-up visits and X-rays advised after revision surgery?
Treating Surgeon
At PMG Hospital, revision hip replacement is performed by:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Dr. Hiren Patel |
| Qualification | MS (Ortho), B.J. Medical College, Ahmedabad |
| Specialty | Orthopaedics |
| Designation | Director & Head Joint Replacement Surgeon, PMG Hospital |
| Registration status | Registered Medical Practitioner |
| Registration number | Gujarat Medical Council Reg. No. G-20583 |
| OPD availability | Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
Facilities at PMG Hospital
- Orthopaedic OPD, Monday to Saturday
- Emergency and trauma care, 24×7
- Orthopaedic physiotherapy centre
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see a doctor about a problem with a hip replacement?
See an orthopaedic surgeon if a hip replacement that was working well becomes painful again, feels unstable or dislocates, causes a new limp or a change in leg length, or if there is warmth, redness, wound discharge or fever. Fever, a red, hot hip or discharge from the wound needs urgent assessment.
What is revision hip replacement?
Revision hip replacement is an operation to remove or correct a failed hip replacement and replace some or all of its parts. It is usually more complex than a first hip replacement.
Why do hip replacements fail?
Common causes include loosening of the implant, wear of the liner with bone loss around the implant (osteolysis), infection, repeated dislocation, a fracture around the implant, and problems with the position of the components. Finding the exact cause is essential before planning revision surgery.
How is an infected hip replacement treated?
It depends on how long the infection has been present and on the organism. An early infection may be treated by washing out the joint, changing the removable parts and giving antibiotics while keeping the implant. A long-standing infection is often treated in two stages: the implant is removed, a temporary antibiotic-loaded spacer is placed and antibiotics are given, and a new implant is fitted later. In selected patients, the infected implant is removed and a new implant is fitted in the same operation (single-stage revision).
Is revision surgery riskier than the first hip replacement?
Yes. Revision surgery usually takes longer and carries a higher risk of infection, dislocation, blood loss, fracture, nerve injury and further surgery than a first hip replacement. Careful tests before surgery, planning for bone loss and the right implants help to manage these risks.
How long does recovery take after revision hip replacement?
Recovery is usually slower than after a first hip replacement. Many patients reach good function within three to six months, but recovery after complex reconstruction with bone grafting can take up to a year. Some patients need to limit weight on the leg for a period.
What facilities should a hospital have for revision hip replacement?
It should have an operation theatre suitable for complex joint surgery with strict infection-control practices, a range of revision implants, X-ray and access to other scans, laboratory and microbiology tests, blood transfusion support, access to intensive care, anaesthesia services and physiotherapy.
What decides the cost of revision hip replacement?
The cost depends on the reason for revision, whether one or two operations are needed, the implants and any bone graft, the length of hospital stay, room category, antibiotics, other medical conditions and physiotherapy. Some insurance policies have specific terms for revision surgery, so check your policy. A written, itemised estimate can be requested from the hospital after assessment.
Contact and Location
PMG Hospital
3rd Floor, Athena Avenue, B/H Jaguar Showroom, Nr. Eulogia Inn Hotel, Gota, Ahmedabad, India
- Phone / WhatsApp:
- +91 96627 70141
- OPD:
- Mon – Sat · 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Emergency and trauma care:
- 24×7