Revision Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Revision Hip Replacement

Revision hip replacement surgery is a surgical procedure performed to replace a previously implanted total hip replacement. It is a specialised procedure which requires specific expertise and planning. There are several reasons why a revision hip replacement may be necessary. These include:

Implant wear and loosening: This is often referred to as aseptic loosening. Over time, the artificial components of a hip replacement may wear down or become loose, leading to pain, instability, and reduced movement.
Infection: In some cases, an infection may develop in or around the artificial hip joint, causing pain, swelling, and potentially damaging the joint.
Implant failure: Occasionally, hip implants may fail due to design or manufacturing defects, or other factors like implant dislocation or fractures.
Bone loss: If there is significant bone loss around the hip joint, often due to infection or implant loosening, a revision surgery may be needed to rebuild the bone and place new implants.

The procedure may require the use of bigger or specially designed implants to provide stability and compensate for bone loss. Mr Griffiths has a specialist interest in complex revision hip replacement surgery and the use of 3D printed custom prosthesis for complex defects with large bone loss. The 3D printing helps to accurately restore the patient’s anatomy whilst optimising the hip function. The recovery process following revision hip replacement surgery is often longer and more challenging compared to the initial hip replacement procedure. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are crucial to regain strength, mobility, and function after the surgery.

3D printing is increasingly used in revision hip surgery for creating personalised implants, surgical guides and models for surgical planning and training purposes. Surgeons can use 3D-printed models of the patient's anatomy to plan and practice complex procedures before the actual surgery.

The use of 3D printing in orthopaedic surgery offers several advantages:

Precise Customisation:
Implants can be designed and manufactured to address unique anatomical challenges in each patient. This customisation enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the revision process, contributing to better outcomes for patients undergoing hip revision surgery.
Better Surgical Planning:
Orthopaedic surgeons can use 3D printing to create precise models of a patient's bone structure based on their scans, allowing them to plan the surgery in advance. These models provide surgeons with a better understanding of the patient's anatomy, enabling more precise implant placement.
Surgical Guides:
3D printing technology allows for the creation of surgical guides that can assist in precise implant placement during surgery. These guides can be custom-made based on the patient's anatomy, helping surgeons achieve greater accuracy and reducing the risk of errors.
Education and Training: 3D-printed models can be utilised for education and training purposes, particularly for complex surgeries. Surgeons can practice their techniques on these models, enhancing their skills and confidence before performing the actual surgery. As technology continues to advance and costs decrease, it is expected that 3D printing will become increasingly integrated into orthopaedic surgical practices, further improving patient outcomes, surgical efficiency, and overall quality of care.