Hip Revision Surgery
Complex revision hip surgery, performed by an Oxford-trained orthopaedic specialist with over 30 years of experience and a focused interest in revision work.
A painful or failing hip replacement is a different problem from a first-time hip. The bone has been operated on before. The tissue around the joint is altered. The original implants need to come out safely before anything new can go in. Revision surgery is technically demanding, and your surgeon's training, experience and judgement matter more than ever.
Dr Elie Khoury completed his fellowship at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, one of the world's leading hospitals for complex hip and knee surgery. Hip revision is a focused part of his practice.
What Is Hip Revision Surgery?
Hip revision surgery is an operation to replace some or all of the parts of a previous hip replacement. It's done when the original hip replacement is no longer working as it should. That might be from wear over time, infection, loosening, dislocation, fracture or another problem.
Hip revision is not the same operation as a first-time hip replacement. It usually involves:
Removing the existing implants safely, with minimal damage to the surrounding bone
Assessing and rebuilding any bone loss that has happened
Choosing revision-specific implants designed to handle altered anatomy
Restoring soft tissue balance and joint stability
A longer, more complex rehab pathway than a first-time replacement
Revision is more technically demanding than the original surgery. It often takes longer, may need specialised implants, and recovery can be slower. The trade-off, when revision is the right call, is restored function and the resolution of pain that non-surgical care can't fix.
When Hip Revision Surgery Is Recommended
Not every painful hip replacement needs revision. Many problems can be managed without further surgery. Revision is considered only when there's a clear clinical reason to operate.
You may be a candidate for hip revision surgery if:
Your hip replacement causes ongoing pain that hasn't responded to investigation and non-surgical care
Imaging shows one or more components are loose
The implant has worn or fractured
Your prosthetic hip has dislocated more than once
The joint is, or might be, infected
You've broken a bone around the hip replacement
Your function has steadily declined and other causes have been ruled out
Working out whether revision is the right answer takes a careful assessment. Dr Khoury will review your imaging, your symptoms and your full clinical picture before recommending a way forward. In some cases, the right answer is non-surgical management. In others, revision is the next step.
Dr Khoury's Approach to Hip Revision
Revision surgery is where training, judgement and experience matter most. The decisions made before the operation, especially whether to operate at all, are often the most important.
Dr Khoury's approach is built around three principles.
Diagnosis before treatment A painful or failing hip replacement deserves a thorough workup. That means clinical assessment, imaging, blood tests, and sometimes drawing fluid from the joint to rule out infection. Operating without a clear diagnosis is rarely the right answer.
Conservative recommendations, even in revision Revision is a bigger operation than a first-time hip replacement. The decision to proceed should be based on a clear clinical benefit. If your hip can be managed without revision, that's the path Dr Khoury will recommend.
Specialist training and implant expertise Dr Khoury completed his fellowship at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, which has a long-standing reputation for complex joint reconstruction. As Chair of the Australian Standards Committee for Surgical Implants, he brings deep knowledge to revision implant selection, including the specialised components often needed when bone is compromised.
What To Expect - Before, During and After
Before surgery Revision surgery needs more pre-operative work than a first-time replacement. You'll meet with Dr Khoury's pre-surgery team for a careful assessment of your overall health, your previous surgery, and the state of your hip and surrounding bone.
You may be asked to:
Have advanced imaging done. This may include CT scans to check bone stock.
Provide blood tests to screen for infection
Have fluid drawn from the joint if infection is suspected
Stop or adjust some medications
Meet with the anaesthetic team to plan your anaesthetic
Get your home ready for a longer recovery than a first-time replacement
Surgery day Hip revision surgery is performed under general or spinal anaesthetic, depending on what's safest for you. Operative times are generally longer than a first-time hip replacement, sometimes significantly so, depending on the complexity.
Dr Khoury operates at:
Cabrini Malvern
The Alfred Hospital (private patients)
The Bays Hospital (Mornington Peninsula)
Insight Private Hospital
The hospital stay after revision is usually longer than a first-time replacement, often 4 to 7 days, depending on the surgery and your individual recovery.
Early recovery (weeks 1 to 12) Recovery from revision is generally slower than a first-time hip replacement. Most patients are up and walking with help within the first day or two. Progressing through walking aids (walker, crutches, cane) takes longer.
Typical milestones:
Weeks 1 to 2: Walking short distances with aid. Basic daily activities. Physio in hospital and at home.
Weeks 3 to 6: A gradual increase in mobility. Slower progress than a first-time replacement.
Weeks 6 to 12: Many patients move from crutches to a cane, with ongoing strengthening.
Full recovery (6 to 18 months) Full recovery from hip revision can take 6 to 18 months, depending on the complexity of the case and your starting point. Many patients achieve excellent function and major pain relief, though recovery is usually longer and less predictable than a first-time replacement. Dr Khoury will give you a realistic view of what to expect for your specific case.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Hip replacements can fail for several reasons. The bearing surfaces can wear. Components can loosen. The hip can dislocate repeatedly. The joint can get infected. A bone around the implant can break. Bone loss can develop over time. Modern hip replacements are expected to last 20 years or more in most patients, but failures do happen. [SIGN-OFF]
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A combination of clinical assessment, imaging (X-rays, sometimes CT or MRI), blood tests for signs of infection, and where appropriate, drawing fluid from the joint. Working out the cause is essential before recommending revision.
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Yes. Revision is more technically complex and has higher rates of complications, including infection, dislocation and fracture. The benefits, when revision is the right call, can be significant: pain relief and restored function. Dr Khoury will walk you through your individual risk.
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es, but each revision is more complex than the last. The aim is always to give you the best possible long-term outcome from each operation.
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Yes. To see Dr Khoury, a referral from your GP is required. Once you have it, our rooms will help you book a consultation that suits you.
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Dr Khoury consults at three locations: St Kilda Road Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula at The Bays Hospital, and Albury at the Gardens Specialist Centre. Our team will help you find the most convenient one.
Dr Khoury’s Approach to Hip Revision Surgery
A painful or failing hip replacement deserves a careful, considered second opinion. Dr Khoury and his team will take the time to understand your history, review your imaging and walk you through the options honestly. Revision is the right answer when the clinical picture supports it, and only then.
To book, you'll need a referral from your GP. If you don't have one yet, your GP can refer you directly to Dr Khoury at any of our three locations.