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Hip And Knee Revision Surgery Specialist

Gregory Lavigne, MD -  - Orthopedic Surgeon

Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics

Gregory Lavigne, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon & Reconstructive Surgeon located in Asheville, NC & Arden, NC

Knee or hip replacements can last around 15 years — or even 30 years in some cases — but over time, artificial joints can become damaged. Experienced board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Gregory Lavigne is part of the Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics team at Pardee Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. He completes knee and hip revision surgeries to repair your damaged artificial joints, restore your range of motion, reduce your pain, and improve your quality of life. Call to learn more, or book an appointment online today.

Hip and Knee Revision Surgery Q & A

What is revision surgery?

If you’ve had knee or hip replacement surgery in the past, over time, replacement parts fail for a variety of reasons, such as:

  • Normal wear and tear of your knee or hip joint over time
  • An infection in the tissue surrounding your joint
  • A severe fall or other physical trauma
  • Or the replaced joint can simply be painful or unstable

When this occurs, revision surgery helps correct artificial joint problems to restore joint function. During surgery, Dr. Lavigne and the Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics team remove some or all damaged artificial joint parts, and replace the parts with new ones.

Revision surgeries are often longer and more complex than initial knee or hip replacement procedures.

Do I require knee or hip revision surgery?

You’re likely to experience symptoms from artificial joint damage, which include:

  • Pain or swelling near your knee or hip joint
  • Stiffness or instability in your joint
  • Difficulty performing routine day-to-day tasks
  • Abnormal joint motion

If symptoms occur, Dr. Lavigne and his team review your medical history, perform a physical exam to assess your joint’s range of motion and movement, and complete imaging tests — such as X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.

What should I expect during revision surgery?

Dr. Lavigne discusses revision surgery options with you, and finds one the best matches your needs. Different types of revision surgery include:

  • One part of a joint implant requires repair
  • Multiple parts of an implant need revision
  • Bone surrounding a joint requires repair or augmentation

If you have bone damage surrounding a joint replacement, Dr. Lavigne uses special implants with longer stems for extra support.

After revision surgery, rehabilitation is necessary to maximize healing and recovery. A physical therapist assists you with rehab exercises and shows you which exercises to complete at home.

What are the risks and benefits of revision surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks and benefits associated with revision surgery. The benefits include:

  • Pain relief
  • Improved mobility and range of motion
  • Better strength and coordination

Potential risks of revision surgery are:

  • Blood clots or pulmonary embolus
  • Fractures
  • Infection near the incision site
  • Nerve or blood vessel damage
  • Stiffness or instability
  • The need for additional surgeries

When you’re ready to ease pain and improve mobility after artificial joint damage, call the Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics team to learn more, or book an appointment online with Dr. Lavigne.