Revision surgery (orthopedic)
Also called: redo hip surgery, revision hip replacement
What it means
Revision surgery is a repeat operation to replace or repair a previous joint implant, like a hip replacement, that has loosened, worn out, broken, or gotten infected.
Weaker bone around an old implant can make revision surgery more complex and affect how well new hardware holds in place.
Revision surgery is a repeat operation to replace or fix a previous joint replacement or orthopedic implant that has worn out, loosened, fractured, or become infected. A common example is revision hip replacement, where a surgeon removes some or all of the original hip implant and places new components. It's more technically demanding than a first-time replacement because of scar tissue, bone loss around the old implant, and the need for specialized parts or bone grafting.
People usually need revision surgery because of implant loosening over time, wear of the plastic or metal parts, infection around the hardware, a fracture near or around the implant (periprosthetic fracture), or instability causing repeated dislocations. Bone quality matters a lot here: someone with osteoporosis or weakened bone may have less to anchor new hardware into, which can affect surgical planning and recovery.
Recovery from revision surgery tends to be slower and more involved than a first replacement, often with a longer period of limited weight-bearing, more physical therapy, and closer monitoring for complications like infection, blood clots, or hardware failure. Your surgical team will guide decisions about timing, implant choice, and rehabilitation based on your bone health, overall health, and imaging; these are always decisions to make with your orthopedic surgeon.
Weaker bone around an old implant can make revision surgery more complex and affect how new hardware holds.
Where this leads
WordRevision surgery often follows an original hip replacement. Curious what that first surgery involves and why it's sometimes needed?
Related words
A hip replacement is surgery to remove a damaged hip joint and replace it with an artificial implant, often done for…
A partial hip replacement (hemiarthroplasty) is surgery that replaces only the ball (femoral head) of the hip joint…
ORIF stands for "open reduction internal fixation." It's a surgery where a surgeon repositions broken bone pieces…
Bone grafting is a surgery that adds bone or bone-like material to help fix a gap, break, or weak spot in a bone so…
Internal fixation is surgery that uses metal rods, plates, screws, or wires placed inside the body to hold a broken…
Hardware removal is surgery to take out metal plates, screws, rods, or pins that were used to fix a broken bone.
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
