Knee Replacement (Revision)

What is a Revision Knee Replacement procedure?

A Revision Knee Replacement (also known as a Revision Knee Arthroplasty) is a complex and major procedure, which is performed when an original prosthetic knee joint begins to fail.

Why is a Revision Knee Replacement procedure performed?

A Revision Knee Replacement is performed when primary knee replacement prosthesis has become problematic. Although modern day knee prosthetics are typically very hard and long wearing they can occasionally require replacement after becoming worn, loosened, dislocated or infected.

How is Revision Knee Replacement surgery carried out?

A Revision Knee Replacement can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep) or Spinal/Epidural Anaesthetic (you will be awake, but sedated). The procedure usually takes around two hours to complete and is performed with a patient positioned on their back on the operating table throughout the procedure.

An incision is then made along the original knee joint surface, although it is common for this incision to be lengthened slightly beyond its original scar. The damaged or failing prosthesis is then carefully removed with every effort made to avoid any additional trauma to the existing bone and original joint surface.

Revision knee surgery is a technically challenging procedure and should only be carried out by an expert knee surgeon, as this procedure often requires additional bone grafting material to help repair the knee surface and secure the new replacement prosthesis.

Following the insertion of the new replacement prosthesis the wound is usually closed with absorbable stitches and a surgical drain is inserted to minimise the risk of any developing blood clots.        

What is the recovery after Revision Knee Replacement surgery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally encouraged to be as gently active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to take a few steps with the support of a walking frame and guidance from a physiotherapist 24 hours after surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control patients are normally discharged home 7-10 days following their surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally free of drains, wearing a simple wound dressing, eating and drinking normally, walking with just the aid of a stick and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers).
Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility and range of joint movement through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity and walking distances.

Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your joints range of movement after 6 weeks and then again after three months to evaluate how successful your Revision Knee Replacement operation has been. Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work.

Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take up to one year to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Revision Knee Replacement surgery?

Although Revision Knee Replacement surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking this type of specialist surgery.

All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in Knee Revision surgery to discuss your condition in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Revision Knee Replacement surgery?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert in knee surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating Revision Knee Replacement surgery and because of their specialist lower limb surgery expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert revision knee surgeon: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com