Revision Total Hip Replacement
As detailed in the ‘Failing THR’ section, there are a number of reasons why a hip replacement will fail. This means that Revision THR is not a one size fits all operation. Once we have established what the problem is with your hip replacement and decided that revision surgery is required, I will discuss with you a plan for how I will address the problems. The options for how the surgery is done and which parts of the hip need changing will be specific to you and are too broad to try to cover here.
In very simple terms surgery may require:
- Removing the entire hip replacement and implanting a completely new THR.
- Changing only the socket (acetabulum).
- Changing only the lining within the socket.
- Changing only the stem and ball (part within the thigh) – this may or may not involve removing any cement that is around the stem.
- Changing the ball and the lining of the socket.
Occasionally, once I have identified the problem with your hip and obtained the necessary scans to plan the surgery, I may decide that it is too complicated a procedure to carry out in a private hospital setting. It is possible then to transfer your care to Southmead hospital where all of our major revision surgery is performed. The reason for this the expertise of the entire team and also the equipment that is available in a department that does this type of surgery almost every day. In some circumstances it is possible for this to still be performed privately to avoid longer waiting times, but this would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
My whole experience with Mr Sullivan has been excellent. I cannot fault him for friendliness, professionalism and ability to instill confidence.