Overview Of Revision Joint Replacement

During primary joint replacement, the joint is replaced with an implant, or prosthesis, made of metal and plastic components. Although most joint replacements are very successful, over time, problems such as implant wear and loosening may require a revision procedure to replace the original components.

There are different types of revision surgery. In some cases, only one implant or component of the prosthesis has to be revised. Other times, all three components femoral, tibial, and patellar need to be removed or replaced and the bone around the joint needs to be rebuilt with augments (metal pieces that substitute for missing bone) or bone graft.

Damage to the bone may make it difficult for the doctor to use standard joint implants for revision joint replacement. In most cases, he or she will use specialized implants with longer, thicker stems that fit deeper inside the bone for extra support.