Failed Hip Surgery & suffering with pain after a hip replacement

Hip surgery is usually very successful, and most patients are delighted with the outcome of their operation. Pain after hip replacement/resurfacing surgery is not uncommon, and it usually goes away after a few months. If it persists, this indicates that there might be a potentially serious problem. Quite often the pain can grumble on for many months, and this is very frustrating, particularly when no obvious cause is found. In these cases, patients and surgeons often ask for a second opinion to see whether or not hip revision surgery is necessary.

We understand that it is disappointing if hip replacement complications arise, but prompt investigations and expert treatment are essential if further problems are to be avoided. Here in Southampton we have experts in radiology, microbiology and clinical chemistry who have helped us to develop efficient pathways for the investigation and treatment of pain after hip replacement/resurfacing.

If there is a serious problem with the hip replacement/
resurfacing, then revision hip surgery might be necessary. We see an increasing number of patients with pain after metal on metal hip replacement/resurfacing, and this is usually caused by a reaction to the metal ions produced by the hip implants. Revision hip surgery is almost always necessary to get rid of the problem. Revision surgery is usually more complicated than the original hip replacement/resurfacing operation. Special equipment and implants are often used to rectify the specific complications and to overcome the challenges of having to remove the original hip implants. Revision hip surgery has developed into a sub-speciality of orthopaedic practice which reflects the fact that these operations require specialist skills and training.

Because we have treated more people with hip replacement/
resurfacing complications than most centres, we have developed a great deal of experience in hip revision surgery, and we are happy to say that there is almost always a good outcome following surgery.

If you are experiencing pain after a hip replacement or resurfacing operation or it simply doesn’t feel ‘right’, you should tell your surgeon about your symptoms. If you would like a second opinion, please ask your GP for a referral to Jeremy Latham and he will be happy to see you as soon as possible.