INTRODUCTION This means that part or all of your previous hip replacement needs to be revised. This operation varies from very minor adjustments to massive operations replacing significant amounts of bone and hence is difficult to describe in full. Total Hip Replacement (THR) procedure replaces all or part of the hip joint with an artificial device (prosthesis) with a plastic liner in between to restore joint movement Why does a hip need to be revised? Pain is the primary reason for revision. Usually the cause is clear but not always. • Plastic (polyethylene) wear : This is one of the simpler revisions where only the plastic insert is changed. • Dislocation (instability) : means the hip is popping out of place. Repositioning of the implants has to be planned. • Loosening of either the femoral or acetabular component: This usually presents as pain but may be asymptomatic. For this reason, you must have your joint followed up for life as there can be changes on X-ray that indicate that the hip should be revised despite having no symptoms. • Infection usually presents as pain but may present as an acute fever or a general feeling of unwell. Such revisions may be performed in a single or two stages to prevent recurrence of infection. • Osteolysis (bone loss): This can occur due to particles being released into the hip joint that result in bone being destroyed. • Pain from hardware e.g. cables or wires causing irritation. Such procedures are amongst simpler revisions where patients can expect excellent results. PRE-OPERATIVE PHASE • Your surgeon will send you for routine blood tests to rule out infection, CT scan to look closer at the anatomy, and bone scans to help to determine if a component is loose. • X-rays and/or MRI will be considered. • Aspiration of the hip joint is occasionally done to diagnose or rule out infection • Patient will be asked to undertake a general medical check-up with a physician • Patient should have any other medical, surgical or dental problems attended to prior to the surgery in order to prevent a risk of infection. • Cease aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications 10 days prior to surgery as they can cause bleeding. • Any antiplatelet drugs / blood thinners such as clopidogrel, warfarin will be stopped 3-7 days prior to the date of surgery. • Surgical consent will be explained to the patient detailing the procedure as well as the risks involved, if any. • Blood transfusion, if required will be informed and done. Day of surgery • You will meet the nurses and answer some questions for the hospital records • You will meet your anesthetist, who will ask you a few questions and assess the risk factors for surgery. • You will be given hospital clothes to change into and have a shower prior to surgery • The operation site will be shaved and cleaned • Approximately 45 minutes prior to surgery, you will be transferred to the operating room • After explanation of the procedure, you will be asked to sign the consent for surgery. Occasionally, a high risk consent for surgery may be requested depending on the blood reports and clinical examination. SUGRICAL PROCEDURE Hip Revision will be explained to you prior to surgery including what is likely to be done. The surgery is often, but not always, more extensive than your previous surgery and the complications similar but more frequent than the first operation. It is difficult describing the steps of the procedure as each revision procedure is different based on the indication of surgery. Depending on the indication, the surgery varies from a simple liner exchange to changing one or all of the components and the operating surgeon will plan extensively regarding the planned procedure as well as certain associated complications which are often acknowledged during the complicated surgery. In certain cases bone graft may need to be used to make up for any bone loss. POST-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT • You will wake up in the recovery room with a number of monitors to record your vitals. (Blood pressure, Pulse, Oxygen saturation, temperature, etc.) You will have a dressing on your hip and drain coming out of your wound. • Post-operative X-rays will be performed in recovery. • Once you are stable and awake you will be taken back to the ward. • You will have one or two IV’s in your arm for fluid and pain relief. • On the day following surgery, if inserted, your drains will usually be removed and you will be allowed to sit out of bed or walk depending on your surgeon’s preference. • Pain is normal but if you are having extreme pain inform your nurse. IV antibiotics as well as pain medications will be continued ranging from 1 to 4 days. • You will be able to put all your weight on your hip and your physical therapist will help you with the post-op hip exercises. • You will also be trained by the physical therapist regarding ascending/ descending the stairs as well as toilet training. • You will be discharged home or to a rehabilitation hospital approximately 3-5 days after surgery depending on your pain and help at home. • First dressing will be done on day 3-5, followed by suture/staples removal on 10-14th post-operative day. • A post-operative visit will be arranged prior to your discharge. You will be instructed to walk with crutches for two weeks following surgery and cane from then on until 6 weeks post-op. Special Precautions Remember this is an artificial hip and must be treated with care. AVOID THE COMBINED MOVEMENT OF BENDING YOUR HIP AND TURNING YOUR FOOT IN. This can cause DISLOCATION. Other precautions to avoid dislocation are • You should sleep with a pillow between your legs for 6 weeks. Avoid crossing your legs and bending your hip beyond right angle. • Avoid low chairs. • Avoid bending over to pick things. • Slippers are helpful. • Elevated toilet seats are helpful. • You may shower once the wound has healed. • You can apply Vitamin E or moisturizing cream into the wound once the wound has healed. • If you have increasing redness or swelling in the wound or temperatures over 100.5 degrees you should call your doctor. • If you are having any procedures such as dental work or any other surgery you should take antibiotics before and after to prevent infection in your new prosthesis. Consult your surgeon for details. A Revision Hip replacement is a complex procedure and requires a highly skilled surgeon with adequate expertise. Our Consultant in chief, Dr Vikas Jain is one of the few surgeons in the region who is trained from Europe and has adequate surgical experience in such complex revision procedures.