Revision Joint Replacement Specialist
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Kane Orthopedic Institute
Thomas J. Kane, III, MD
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Adult Joint Reconstruction Surgeon located in Honolulu, HI
Joint replacement surgery is an effective solution when other treatments fail to relieve your pain. But over time, problems with the prosthetic joint can develop, usually due to wear of the parts, and then you need revision joint replacement. As Hawaii's first Fellowship-trained Joint surgeon, Dr. Thomas Kane, III is the doctor whom patients seek when they have a problem with their joint prosthesis. No matter what causes your replacement to fail, Dr. Kane provides medical care and exceptional surgical skills to restore your joint at Kane Orthopedic Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii. To schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking form.
Revision Joint Replacement Q & A
What is revision joint replacement?
Revision joint replacement is surgery to repair or replace your original joint replacement when the prosthetic fails. During revision joint replacement, Dr. Kane removes and replaces all or part of the original prosthesis.
Why might I need revision joint replacement?
Several problems can develop with your original joint replacement that require revision surgery, including:
Loose implant
Over time, the bond between your bone and the implant may loosen, causing pain and instability.
Dislocation
If your prosthesis doesn’t stay properly aligned within the joint, the pieces can become dislocated. Misalignment may occur due to problems such as scar tissue and weak muscles, a problem you’re more likely to have if you don’t follow through with rehabilitation.
Fractures
In some cases, the bone around the prosthetic implant may fracture. Though this problem isn’t as common as the bond loosening or dislocating, a fracture leads to a loose prosthetic that requires revision surgery.
Old prosthetic
Though joint replacements last a long time, they do eventually wear out, and then they need revision surgery.
Infection
Infections are uncommon, so your risk is low, but an infection can develop on the prosthesis, causing bone degeneration and joint instability.
What happens during revision joint replacement?
Revision surgery is more complex than your original joint replacement surgery. Dr. Kane may need to replace part or all of the original prosthesis. Depending on the reason for the prosthetic failure, he may need to repair the bone or damaged ligaments.
On the rare chance you need revision joint replacement due to an infection, your procedure depends on the extent of the infection. In some cases, Dr. Kane can treat the infection, clean the metal parts of the prosthetic, and then replace the plastic spacer.
If your infection is severe, however, Dr. Kane may need to remove the original joint replacement, treat the infection, and then give you a new joint. This type of revision procedure typically requires two surgeries.
During the first surgery, Dr. Kane removes the prosthesis and inserts a temporary spacer that contains antibiotics. After the infection clears, you have a second surgery to insert the new joint.
If you have a joint replacement and start to experience pain or discomfort, call Kane Orthopedic Institute or schedule an appointment online.
