Joint Revision Specialist in Anchorage, AK

Those who experience recurring pain or swelling in their knee, shoulder, ankle, or hip from injury or years of wear-and-tear damage may undergo joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement involves either part or all of the joint being removed then replaced with an artificial joint implant.

Sometimes, joint pain can impact those who have previously had replacement surgery. Thankfully, there are some effective treatment options for those who are experiencing pain due to complications of joint replacement surgery. The most common of these options is a revision arthroplasty, or joint replacement revision surgery, to replace the implant.

Joint replacement surgeries can truly be life-changing. If you struggle with chronic joint pain due to arthritis or another condition, something like a hip surgery or a new knee joint can make a world of difference, helping you feel like your old self again. However, no surgery is perfect, and it’s important to know what your options are for following your initial procedure. This is becoming more and more true, with today’s patients getting joint replacements earlier in life, resulting in artificial joints that need replacement.

For most patients, a single joint replacement is all it takes to enjoy lifelong comfort and mobility. In some instances, though, it may be necessary to follow joint replacement with another surgery – specifically, a revision surgery. This revision procedure may come shortly after the original joint replacement, or it may come years or decades later.

When You Should Seek Revision Surgery

There are a number of reasons a patient might need to see one of our specialty-trained surgeons for hip revision surgery, knee revision surgery, or shoulder revision surgery, including:

• The initial surgery results in an infection, which can cause a lot of pain, swelling, and inflammation around the implant.
• The implant is loosening.
• The implant is dislocated. It’s not common, but implants can pop out of place and must be put back.
• The implant has worn with time or has become damaged by high-impact activities, and a new prosthesis is needed. However, most replacement joints are made to last 20 years or more.

If you’ve had a total joint replacement or a partial joint replacement but still have persistent pain, meet with a surgeon specializing in revision surgery. Our specialty-trained surgeons can advise you on potential problems with your prosthesis, point you toward possible surgical or nonsurgical solutions, and implement a treatment plan customized to your needs.

Our joint revision doctors are all board-certified or fellowship-trained in orthopedic surgery and have extensive experience in the specialized treatment of injuries and conditions after joint replacement.