Hip revision surgery: when is it necessary?

Hip revision surgery is the removal of either part of or all of your hip implant, and replacing it with a new one. But why might you need this procedure? Our expert orthopaedic surgeon Mr Rohit Jain explains the common reasons for revision surgery and whether primary or revision hip surgeries are going ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How long can hip replacement last?

Thanks to evolving technology, materials and newer techniques available, hip joint replacements are lasting a lot longer than they were in the past.

A landmark 2026 Lancet study confirms that modern total hip replacements boast a predicted 30-year survivorship rate of 92.1 per cent. This translates to over nine out of ten contemporary hip implants remaining functional and free from revision surgery three decades after implantation. 

Prior to this research, patients and surgeons had relied on much shorter historical data for implant expectations. This impressive 30-year durability underscores the success of recent advances in bearing surface technology, which significantly minimise long-term material wear and implant loosening. 

These findings are expected to significantly reshape patient counselling, expand the eligibility for hip replacements to younger individuals and optimise healthcare planning. 

How has hip replacement evolved?

Over the past 25 years, technology has undergone a remarkable transformation. A recent advancement is the use of highly cross-linked polyethylene, a type of plastic. This material boasts extremely low wear and functions effectively as a bearing surface. When combined with ceramic balls, it significantly reduces wear in the hip joint.

This shift in bearing surfaces has dramatically increased the longevity of hip replacements. Furthermore, we now employ robotic and custom-made joint replacements. It remains to be seen whether these latest innovations enhance the longevity of the implants.

What are the common reasons for hip revision surgery?

The most common reasons for hip revision surgery are:

• Infection;
• Repetitive instability in the hip joint – where the ball keeps dislocating from the socket;
• Mechanical failure of the component – over time, the implants may detach from the body causing loosening or breakage of the metalwork;
• Fractures - if someone has a fall, and fractures around the component.

You can book an appointment with Mr Jain via his Top Doctors profile if you'd like advice for primary or revision hip replacement surgery.