CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Hip revision surgery
- No.1 in London for private orthopaedic care
- 97% of orthopaedic patients rate our care ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
Jump to
HIP REVISION SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
If you've previously had a hip replacement, and you’re again experiencing pain, stiffness or swelling, revision surgery can give you back more mobility.
We're ranked number one for private hip replacement surgery in London*, with our leading hip specialists placed within the top 1% for revision rates**. They’re also experts in revision surgery for people who need their hip joint replaced again.
Using advanced diagnostics and imaging, our specialists will work with you to identify why you’re experiencing discomfort and advise whether revision surgery is the right option for you.
We're ranked number one for private hip replacement surgery in London*, with our leading hip specialists placed within the top 1% for revision rates**. They’re also experts in revision surgery for people who need their hip joint replaced again.
Using advanced diagnostics and imaging, our specialists will work with you to identify why you’re experiencing discomfort and advise whether revision surgery is the right option for you.
Hip revision surgery (known as arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure to restore the function of a joint, often by replacing the original artificial joint (prosthesis). While modern hip replacements usually provide decades of pain-free function, the operation sometimes needs to be done again.
The artificial implants used in hip replacements can be susceptible to wear and tear, infection, fracture or instability – all of which can be managed through revision surgery.
The artificial implants used in hip replacements can be susceptible to wear and tear, infection, fracture or instability – all of which can be managed through revision surgery.
If your hip repeatedly dislocates, you might need hip revision surgery. This is because, the more times your artificial hip dislocates, the more likely it is to happen again.
Continual, repetitive movements can also cause small pieces of the prosthesis to break off and generate an immune response from your body – similar to an allergic reaction. If this happens, you will usually need surgery to prevent bone loss.
Other issues that can be managed through revision surgery include infection, fracture or instability of the joint. What’s more, active individuals who had their initial hip replacement earlier in life may find that the new hip joint wears down quickly.
Continual, repetitive movements can also cause small pieces of the prosthesis to break off and generate an immune response from your body – similar to an allergic reaction. If this happens, you will usually need surgery to prevent bone loss.
Other issues that can be managed through revision surgery include infection, fracture or instability of the joint. What’s more, active individuals who had their initial hip replacement earlier in life may find that the new hip joint wears down quickly.
Hip revision is a more complex surgical procedure than a hip replacement. It requires considerable planning and state-of-the-art tools and implants – and should only be carried out by the most experienced hip surgeons. We have several leading consultants specialising in hip arthroplasty, so you can be sure you will receive exceptional care with HCA UK.
Your consultant will discuss your options with you. You may benefit from pain relief, weight management or other lifestyle changes. However, for some patients, hip revision surgery will be necessary if your implant is loose or broken or if you've developed an infection or allergy. Some of the benefits of hip revision surgery include:
- Pain relief
- Increased mobility and strength
- Improved coordination of your torso and leg
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist hip and pelvis consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
The hip revision surgery process
Your patient journey
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We do this by letting you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, the first step will be an initial consultation to examine you, find out more about your symptoms, answer any questions you may have and assess your suitability for surgery.
Your consultant may want to explore physiotherapy or other conservative treatments before considering surgery.
Your consultant may want to explore physiotherapy or other conservative treatments before considering surgery.
02
Tests and scans
During your initial appointment, your consultant will usually request all the relevant scans and imaging, if they haven’t been done recently, to help identify the cause of any pain or swelling.
If your consultant suspects you have an infection around the artificial hip, they’ll want to carry out a hip aspiration to identify the cause of the infection. They will then discuss the options with you, including surgery, antibiotics or other treatment.
If your consultant suspects you have an infection around the artificial hip, they’ll want to carry out a hip aspiration to identify the cause of the infection. They will then discuss the options with you, including surgery, antibiotics or other treatment.
03
Your procedure
During your hip revision procedure, your surgeon may need to remove any worn, loose or broken components and replace them with new implants. It’s not uncommon to use a bone graft to rebuild the lost bone.
Hip revision surgery is a complex procedure and it’s important to follow your consultant’s instructions closely, both to prepare for the operation and to allow for full recovery and proper after-care once you’ve been discharged.
Hip revision surgery is a complex procedure and it’s important to follow your consultant’s instructions closely, both to prepare for the operation and to allow for full recovery and proper after-care once you’ve been discharged.
04
Follow-up and ongoing care
We’ll care for you in hospital for the first few days after your revision surgery, and our physiotherapists will help you recover some mobility and strength in your hips and legs.
You should be ready to go home after a few days, and you’ll need crutches, a walker or walking sticks for a few weeks. You won't be able to drive so you should arrange to be picked up from hospital. Your consultant will let you know when you can return to work or regular exercise. They’ll arrange a follow-up appointment to remove any stitches or staples and discuss your progress.
The first few weeks after your operation are usually the most painful, so you'll be prescribed medication. It's recommended that you continue taking the medication until your hip doesn't feel painful.
While recovery times vary, most people need crutches for a few weeks but can put weight on their hip straight after surgery. It takes longer to recover from revision surgery than the original hip replacement. If your surgeon has to cut bone or reattach muscle to tendons, a full recovery might take up to 12 months.
You should be ready to go home after a few days, and you’ll need crutches, a walker or walking sticks for a few weeks. You won't be able to drive so you should arrange to be picked up from hospital. Your consultant will let you know when you can return to work or regular exercise. They’ll arrange a follow-up appointment to remove any stitches or staples and discuss your progress.
The first few weeks after your operation are usually the most painful, so you'll be prescribed medication. It's recommended that you continue taking the medication until your hip doesn't feel painful.
While recovery times vary, most people need crutches for a few weeks but can put weight on their hip straight after surgery. It takes longer to recover from revision surgery than the original hip replacement. If your surgeon has to cut bone or reattach muscle to tendons, a full recovery might take up to 12 months.
Locations
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, our leading consultants are here to support you, from initial consultation through to aftercare. You can have your hip revision procedure at the following locations:
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Hip revision surgery FAQs
Your prosthetic hip is similar to a natural hip in that it has a ball and socket. Whether the ball stays in the socket is all to do with the alignment and fit of the prosthesis and the muscles around the hip joint.
Trauma to the hip or certain hip positions can lead to a hip dislocation. For most people with a hip replacement, this is rare. Those most at risk of hip dislocation are elderly or fragile patients, or those who had their first hip replacement after a fracture.
Trauma to the hip or certain hip positions can lead to a hip dislocation. For most people with a hip replacement, this is rare. Those most at risk of hip dislocation are elderly or fragile patients, or those who had their first hip replacement after a fracture.
Choosing a trusted provider such as HCA UK can reduce your likelihood of needing a revision. It’s well established that clinical results tend to be better when performed by higher volume hip surgeons (those who perform procedures more regularly), and at hospitals which undertake a large number of hip replacements per year.
Our consultants are leaders in their fields when it comes to hip replacements and hip revision surgery, and our hip consultants are in the top 1% for revision procedures. We're ranked number one for private hip replacement surgery in London, according to the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).
Our consultants are leaders in their fields when it comes to hip replacements and hip revision surgery, and our hip consultants are in the top 1% for revision procedures. We're ranked number one for private hip replacement surgery in London, according to the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN).
Before your operation, we’ll arrange for you to meet your consultant and the wider care team so you know what to expect. Your consultant will explain the procedure in detail beforehand and answer your questions.
It’s important to tell your doctor about any medications you’re on. If you’re taking any medicines, particularly anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medicines, you may be asked to stop taking these for a few days before the procedure.
It’s important to tell your doctor about any medications you’re on. If you’re taking any medicines, particularly anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning medicines, you may be asked to stop taking these for a few days before the procedure.
Like all procedures, there are some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will discuss these with you.
You will need to take it easy for a period of time after the procedure. Cooking, cleaning and washing may be much more difficult initially so, where you can, it’s good to have someone on hand to provide a little support immediately after surgery. We also advise that you create a comfortable place to sleep downstairs to avoid having to go up and down stairs.
Your consultant will advise what else to avoid and when you can start driving and exercising again.
Your consultant will advise what else to avoid and when you can start driving and exercising again.
You should avoid driving for the first six weeks after your operation. You'll also need to be off any sedatives or pain relief medication that could impair your senses before you can drive again. If you feel able to drive after six weeks, try sitting in the driving seat of an idle car and practise firmly pressing the pedals. If you can do this without feeling pain or soreness, you may be able to start driving but should still discuss this directly with your surgeon.
To give your hip a chance to heal, you'll need to restrict movement for the first six weeks. Some things to avoid include:
- Bending your hip past 90 degrees
- Twisting on your new hip when standing
- Rolling your leg towards the other leg
- Crossing your legs
- Baths (showers are best)
You should also keep wearing your support stockings for up to six weeks.
Hip revision surgery at HCA UK facilities have very good outcomes and are conducted by our most experienced consultant hip surgeons.
More generally, the average lifespan of an original replacement is 10 to 20 years depending on age and level of activity. According to a study published in the Lancet, 21% of first hip revisions were revised again after 15 years.
More generally, the average lifespan of an original replacement is 10 to 20 years depending on age and level of activity. According to a study published in the Lancet, 21% of first hip revisions were revised again after 15 years.
Patient stories
How hip replacement changes after a decade: Eric’s story
Eric went from playing tennis frequently - and playing well - to barely being able to put his socks and shoes on in the morning.
How game-changing hip surgery helped Joanna get back to her best
For Joanna, a competitive rower in the Masters division, the sport is more than a passion – it's a way of life. At 60 years old, Joanna’s career spans 20 years, and has been marked by intense training sessions, competitive races, and unwavering determination. However, when a nagging pain in her right hip developed into something altogether more debilitating, it threatened to put the brakes on her rowing.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
“I was able to walk the same day, and I was discharged the next day, which was fantastic.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.