What is revision hip replacement?
Revision hip replacement is a second operation on a hip that has already been replaced. The surgeon may exchange a liner or ball, revise the socket, revise the femoral stem, rebuild bone, or remove and replace the entire implant system.
Common reasons include painful loosening, wear, repeated dislocation, infection, fracture around the implant, or implant position problems.
Reasons a hip replacement may need revision
Loosening or wear
Implant parts can wear or lose fixation over time, which may create pain or bone loss.
Instability
Repeated dislocation may require changing component position, implant design, or soft-tissue tension.
Infection or fracture
Deep infection and fractures around implants require specialized testing and often staged or complex reconstruction.
Revision hip replacement is detective work before surgery.
The best revision plan depends on the failure pattern. That may mean blood tests, aspiration, advanced imaging, old operative records, implant identification, and a plan for bone loss before entering the operating room.
Common questions
Is revision harder than the first surgery?
Often yes. Revision surgery can take longer and may require specialized implants, tools, and bone reconstruction.
Do all painful hip replacements need revision?
No. Pain can come from infection, loosening, spine disease, tendon problems, or other causes. Diagnosis comes first.
Will recovery be longer?
It can be. Recovery depends on what is revised, bone quality, infection status, weight-bearing limits, and overall health.
What should I bring?
Prior operative notes, implant stickers, imaging, infection labs, and records from the first surgery can be helpful.
Patient education references used for this page: AAOS Revision Total Hip Replacement, AAHKS Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty, and AAOS Total Hip Replacement.