What is revision joint arthroplasty?
Revision total joint replacement involves the replacement of an existing prosthesis with a new prosthesis. In total joint replacement, an original total hip replacement has two components and an original total knee replacement includes three components. A revision procedure may replace any or all of the components. The new prosthesis can be another of the original type of prosthesis (called a primary), or a prosthesis especially made for revision surgery, or a prosthesis especially made for your case (called a custom). 2. Why or when is it needed? There are several different reasons which may have contributed to your physicians decision to offer a revision total joint replacement. These include prosthesis failure, infection, loosening, and osteolysis (bone loss). Each of these will be discussed in the following paragraphs. However, it should be understood that these reasons for reoperation are inter-related. That is, prosthesis failure or infection may cause bone loss and bone loss may
