BOSS ORTHOPAEDICSPatrick Pallitto, M.D.

Procedure

Revision Hip Replacement in Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort, SC

Overview

When a Prior Hip Replacement
Needs Revision.

If a prior hip replacement is causing pain, instability, or has worn over time, Dr. Pallitto provides evaluation and revision surgery to restore function and relieve pain. Revision hip replacement is a more complex procedure than a first-time (primary) hip replacement, and Dr. Pallitto tailors the surgical plan to the specific reason your original implant needs revision.

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  • IncludesFull and partial component revision
  • ApproachCan often still be performed via the anterior approach
Postoperative X-ray of a total hip replacement, anteroposterior view

Postoperative X-ray, total hip replacement (anteroposterior view). Image: Mikael Häggström, M.D., CC0 / Wikimedia Commons.

Understanding Revision

Common Reasons a Hip Replacement Needs Revision

  • Implant wear or loosening — components loosen from the bone over time
  • Instability or dislocation — the hip repeatedly slips out of the socket
  • Infection — bacteria affecting the implant or surrounding tissue
  • Periprosthetic fracture — a fracture of the bone around the implant
  • Osteolysis — bone loss around the implant from wear particles

Symptoms That May Indicate Revision Is Needed

  • New or increasing pain in a previously replaced hip
  • A feeling of instability or the hip "giving way"
  • Decreased function or a change in how the hip moves
  • Swelling, warmth, or drainage that may signal infection

How Revision Is Evaluated

Dr. Pallitto evaluates a failing hip replacement with X-rays and, when infection is a concern, lab work to determine the cause before recommending a surgical plan.

Good to Know

Risks & Considerations

Revision hip replacement carries the same general risks as primary hip replacement — including infection, blood clots, dislocation, leg length differences, and nerve or blood vessel injury — generally at a higher rate than a first-time replacement due to the added surgical complexity. Dr. Pallitto discusses your individual risk factors during consultation.

Related Reading

Get a Second Opinion Before Revision Surgery → Common Myths About Hip & Knee Replacement, Debunked → Signs It's Time for Hip or Knee Replacement →

Where We Practice

Hilton Head, Bluffton & Beaufort

Hilton Head Island

Phone
(843) 681-2363
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Bluffton

Phone
(843) 837-4300
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Beaufort

Phone
(843) 525-0045
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Think You May Need a Hip Revision?

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