Hip revision surgery in Brighton

Why choose Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital for your hip revision surgery?

At Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital, our expert orthopaedic surgeons specialise in hip revision, successfully replacing many old hip replacements each year. We pride ourselves on patient experience, that's why our private patient rooms are clean and modern, fully equipped with WiFi, a flatscreen TV and all feature en-suite facilities.

To ensure the highest level of care, our consultants are fully supported by an excellent matron-led nursing team, who are dedicated to your care and wellbeing at all times during your hospital stay.

If you are unsure on whether your old hip replacement needs to be revised or if you have some underlying questions, you can always attend one of our free orthopaedic open events to meet our hip consultants and find out more.

What is hip revision surgery?

Hip revision surgery is a surgical procedure to take out your old, often worn out hip replacement in be replaced with a brand new one.

Hip replacements can fail for several reasons:

• Wearing out of the artificial ball and socket joint
• Infection in the hip joint
• Dislocation
• Fracture of the thighbone (Femur).

What happens during hip revision surgery?

During your operation your surgeon will remove your old hip prothesis and any cement that might have been used to hold it in place. He will replace your old prosthesis with new components.

Your surgeon’s choice of prosthesis will be based on several factors such as your age, your level of activity and your current condition. Both cemented and uncemented replacements are used. If you have concerns be sure and ask your surgeon about his prosthesis choice.

Going home after your hip revision at Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital

One of our on-site physiotherapists will give you some exercises to help get your new hip moving. These are important to help you make a good recovery. You may be using crutches or a walker. When you are able to walk up and down stairs, you can go home. You won’t be able to drive, so you will need someone to come and take you home from the hospital, once you have been discharged.

So you don’t damage your new hip and to help your wound heal, you should follow a few restriction for the first six weeks of your recovery:

• Avoid bending your new hip beyond 90 degrees
• Avoid rolling your leg towards the other leg
• Avoid crossing your legs
• Avoid twisting on your new hip when standing
• Use the shower instead of the bath
• Keep wearing your support stockings - you may have to do so for four to six weeks.

If you have any questions or concerns about your restrictions be sure and ask a member of Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital's Healthcare Team or Physiotherapists.

What are the risks involved with a hip revision?

Most people make a good recovery and return to normal activities following hip revision. However as with any surgery there can be complications.

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Infection of the surgical site (incision)
• Scarring
• Blood clots (DVT - deep vein thrombosis)
• Difficulty passing urine
• Chest infection
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

Specific complications might include:

• Split in the femur
• Nerve damage around the hip
• Damage to the blood vessels around the hip
• Infection in the hip
• Loosening of the replacement
• Dislocation
• Leg length difference.