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Hip Replacement

Revision Hip Replacement When Your First Hip Isn't Working

What is revision hip replacement and when is it needed?

Revision hip replacement is a surgery that removes and replaces some or all parts of a previous hip replacement. It is needed when an implant loosens, wears, becomes infected, dislocates repeatedly or is affected by a fracture around it. Planning starts with finding the exact cause, since that determines which parts need replacing.

Most hip replacements do well for many years. When one does not, it can be discouraging, especially after you went through surgery once already. Revision surgery is more complex than a first hip replacement, and it starts with a careful search for the reason the hip is painful, unstable or worn.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Stride, MD, board-certified orthopedic surgeon
Last reviewed October 2026
Dr. Stride reviewing hip X-rays with a patient in the Memorial City office

At a glance

Also called
hip revision surgery, redo hip replacement, failed hip replacement surgery, revision total hip arthroplasty
Typical recovery
Months 6 to 12
Ask about this treatment →(713) 555-0168

Is Revision Hip Replacement right for you?

Usually a good fit if

  • An implant that has loosened or worn, confirmed on X-ray or CT
  • A hip that has dislocated more than once
  • A confirmed infection of the hip replacement
  • A fracture around the implant
  • A reaction to metal wear debris

Another option may be better if

  • Pain after hip replacement without a clear cause, until back, tendon and nerve sources are ruled out
  • Patients whose medical health makes another major surgery too risky, where other options are discussed

What happens, step by step

  1. Finding the cause

    Dr. Stride reviews your prior operative notes and serial X-rays when available, orders blood tests for infection, and often draws fluid from the hip. CT scans or metal ion testing may be added. He also checks the lower back and gluteal tendons, since they commonly cause pain after hip replacement.

  2. Planning the parts

    Revision may replace only the liner and ball, or one or both main components. Special implants and bone graft may be planned if bone has been lost.

  3. Revision surgery

    The old components are removed carefully to preserve as much bone as possible, and new implants are secured. For infection, a staged plan with an antibiotic spacer may be needed.

  4. A longer hospital stay

    Many revision patients stay in the hospital one to a few nights. Weight bearing may be limited for a period depending on the reconstruction.

Typical recovery timeline

Weeks 0 to 6

Walker or crutches, sometimes with limited weight bearing. Home therapy and careful precautions to protect the new hip.

Weeks 6 to 12

Weight bearing increases and therapy shifts toward strength and walking endurance.

Months 3 to 6

Most patients walk without support. Driving and daily routines return.

Months 6 to 12

Ongoing improvement. Recovery is usually slower than after a first hip replacement, and final results vary with the cause of failure.

Timelines are typical ranges. Your plan depends on your hip, your health and what was done in surgery.

“Before I talk about revising a hip, I want to know exactly why it failed. A hip revised for the wrong reason just fails again. Many of my revision consultations start with a second opinion, and sometimes the answer is that you do not need surgery at all.”

Dr. Stride, MD

Frequently asked questions

What are signs a hip replacement is failing?

Common signs include new or worsening groin or thigh pain, a feeling of instability, a hip that dislocates, a new limp, or clicking and grinding. Fever, redness or drainage at the incision can signal infection and need prompt attention.

How long does recovery from revision hip surgery take?

Recovery after revision is typically longer than after a first replacement, often 6 to 12 months to reach a final level. The timeline depends on why the hip failed and how much reconstruction was needed.

Can you get a second opinion before hip revision surgery?

Yes. Dr. Stride sees many patients for second opinions after hip replacement, and the Saturday Hip Pain Clinic is set up for it. Bring your operative report and X-rays if you have them.

When should pain after hip replacement be checked urgently?

Call promptly or seek urgent care for fever, spreading redness, wound drainage, sudden inability to bear weight, a leg that looks shortened or turned, or calf swelling and shortness of breath. Chest pain or trouble breathing needs 911.

Related treatments

Replacement

Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement replaces the worn ball and socket of an arthritic hip with a metal, ceramic and medical-grade plastic implant.

Read more →Preservation

Gluteus Medius Tendon Repair

Gluteus medius tendon repair is a surgery that reattaches the torn hip abductor tendons to the outside of the hip bone, done endoscopically or through a small open incision.

Read more →Diagnosis

Hip X-ray & MRI

Hip X-rays and MRI answer different questions.

Read more →Diagnosis

Diagnostic Hip Injection

A diagnostic hip injection places a numbing medicine directly into the hip joint under ultrasound or X-ray guidance.

Read more →Compare

Anterior vs Posterior

Anterior and posterior hip replacement are two ways to reach the same joint, and both give excellent long-term results.

See the comparison →

Hip pain this can help with

Hip pain · symptom

Pain After Hip Replacement

Pain after hip replacement is normal for the first several weeks and usually fades steadily over about 3 months.

Causes & treatment →
From the Hip Health Library

Questions patients ask about this

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Arthritis & Hip Replacement

How Long Does a Hip Replacement Last?

Most hip replacements last 20 years or more.

5 min read Read
SourcesReferences used for this page2

Medically reviewed by Dr. Stride, MD against current guidance from these sources. Last reviewed October 2026. How we write and review content

  1. Revision Total Hip Replacement (opens in a new tab) AAOS OrthoInfo
  2. Hip Revision Surgery: How To Prepare for Your Procedure (opens in a new tab) Cleveland Clinic
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