Total knee revision surgery is the replacement of a failed total knee prosthesis with a new one.
A knee revision may require the replacement of only one implant or the complete exchange of all the prostheses that were implanted during the original knee replacement surgery.
Total knee revision surgery is when all prostheses are replaced. It is a highly skilled procedure. Your surgeon must remove the original implant, which would have grown into your existing bone. There is also less bone remaining and a bone graft may be needed to support the new prosthesis.
Knee revision surgery is a complex procedure. It requires extensive preoperative planning, specialised implants and tools, long operating times, and experience with complex surgical techniques to achieve a good result. Ramsay is pleased to have skilled surgeons who competently perform total knee revision surgery.
You might need a total knee revision if your prosthetic knee implant fails. Often, a knee replacement lasts a lifetime in the elderly. But in younger patients, especially those with an active lifestyle, knee prostheses may eventually need replacing.
The most common reasons people have a total knee revision are:
The success rate of a revision knee replacement depends on the patient and if it is a first or further revision surgery.
The longer your primary prosthetic knee lasts, the longer your first revision (second prosthetic knee) is likely to last. Males and younger patients are at higher risk of multiple revisions.
If knee replacements are revised, successive revision procedures are progressively less successful¹. This means that patients who undergo a revision have a steadily increasing risk of further revision the more procedures they have. Each subsequent revision lasts for approximately half the time of the previous one².
Research shows that in patients who have a primary total knee replacement, there is approximately a 20% chance that their knee will be revised within 25 years².
Patients who have a revision knee replacement have a 20% chance that this second knee will need replacing within 13 years by a second revision and the implantation of a third prosthetic knee. A second revision has a 20% chance of needing a third revision within 5 years (a fourth prosthetic knee) which in turn has a 20% chance of undergoing a fourth revision (fifth prosthetic knee) within 3 years².
A knee replacement revision can be performed multiple times. With each knee revision surgery, your chance of needing another knee revision increases.
Like all major surgical procedures, there may be certain risks and complications involved with total knee replacement revision surgery.
Possible complications after total knee replacement revision include:
The length of time to recover after knee replacement revision surgery can vary compared to your first knee replacement. Often patients take longer to recover from total knee revision surgery than their original knee replacement surgery.
As with your initial knee replacement, it is important to stand and start walking as quickly as possible afterward. At first, you will require an assistive walking device such as a cane, crutches, or walker.
Your surgeon may recommend blood thinners or special compression stockings to help prevent blood clots.
You can expect to go home in two to five days. Your mobility will be limited so you may need help with household tasks like cooking, shopping, and bathing for several weeks.
Physiotherapy helps to restore your range of motion and strengthen your leg. You should take pain relief as needed so that you can do your rehabilitation. Physiotherapy and specific exercises may be needed for three months or longer. You should follow your physiotherapist’s advice.
If you decide to pay for your treatment, Ramsay offer an all-inclusive Total Care package, where a single one-off payment at a pre-agreed price, delivering direct access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance. You can also spread the cost of your treatment with finance options available. The knee replacement (knee arthroplasty) cost depends on your local Ramsay facility, to find out more information around knee replacement surgery cost click here.
The procedure may be covered by your medical insurance policy. We advise you to check directly with your insurance provider and get written confirmation before commencing treatment.
One of the major advantages of seeing a knee surgeon privately is that your appointments and treatment are arranged at times to suit you and without any unnecessary waiting. This is especially important if you are in a lot of pain or if you want to avoid particular dates for surgery.
You will be treated by an experienced orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in knee surgery who will be able to discuss your individual needs and select the best prosthesis for you.
Additional benefits of being a Ramsay Private patient include:
• choice of consultant, where possible
• rapid access to expert opinion on the best treatment for you
• fast track admission and discharge
• single bedded rooms with en suite bathroom and flat screen TV
• choice from our a la carte menu as an inpatient
Revision knee replacement is surgery to re-do part or all of your previous knee replacement.
At Ramsay Health Care Hospitals, you will receive the very best of care and all the support you need before, during and after your surgery. Our leading knee surgeons are supported by orthopaedic nursing staff, consultant radiologists and chartered physiotherapists to deliver your personal treatment plan.
Our aim is to provide you with fast and convenient appointments for the diagnosis and treatment of your knee problem, so that we can quickly lessen your pain and get you moving more and returning to the activities you enjoy.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to repair a torn or injured ACL, a crucial ligament in the knee. It involves using a graft of new tissue, typically a tendon, taken from another part of your knee to restore stability.
An arthroscopy allows your surgeon to see inside your knee using a camera inserted through small cuts in the skin.
Knee replacement is knee surgery to repair worn arthritic knee joints or knee injuries using an artificial knee joint to help reduce pain and restore movement in your knee.
Ramsay Health Care UK are celebrating after being named as a Gold National Joint Registry (NJR) Quality Data Provider after successfully completing a national data quality audit programme for 25 of their hospitals offering orthopaedic procedures.