Joint Revision Surgeon

Dedicated to serving the orthopedic needs of Columbus, North Vernon, Seymour, Greensburg, and the surrounding areas since 1976, Southern Indiana Orthopedics offers exceptional, specialized care from our specialty-trained joint revision doctors so you can get stronger.

Joint pain can significantly diminish your quality of life, limit your mobility, prohibit you from fulfilling everyday tasks, and keep you awake at night. This sometimes even affects those who have had a total joint replacement procedure, like a previous knee replacement or hip replacement.

Thankfully, there are effective treatment options available for joint pain from complications with your knee, hip, ankle, or shoulder replacement. The most effective treatment is what's known as joint revision surgery. But what does that surgery entail? And what should you expect when you go to meet with your surgeon?

When we talk about joint revision, we're talking about a surgery you might undergo following a joint replacement—a procedure in which your old and injured joints are removed and new, synthetic ones are put into place. Joint replacement surgery comes in different forms—hip replacement, knee replacement, and so on—and the ultimate goal is to help you enjoy full, pain-free mobility.

Reasons a revision surgery may be needed include:

  • An infection of the area surrounding your implant; infections may accompany swelling and discomfort in your knee, hip, ankle, or shoulder implant and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. 
  • Joint dislocations—sometimes, the new implant can simply pop out of place and need to be put back in. This is especially common in cases of hip revision surgery.
  • The passage of time and loosening of your implant; while your new knee joint or hip joint is always carefully cemented into place, over time it can simply be worn down.

Joint replacement can be life-changing, but it's not perfect, and some patients may need a follow-up procedure. The trouble is that people are having joint replacements earlier in life, then living longer. Meanwhile, the life expectancy of an implant is typically 20 years or so. Thus, when patients outlive the results of their hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, etc., the need for a second surgery and a new artificial joint can become apparent. This second surgery requires that the surgeon go in, remove the old implant, and put a new implant in its place.

Advanced Joint Revision Care in Columbus, North Vernon, Seymour & Greensburg

Sometimes, a second replacement surgery—a joint revision—can become urgently needed. Crucially, this is not the same as a standard joint replacement, and it's vital to choose an orthopedic or joint replacement surgeon with ample experience in revision hip replacement, revision knee replacement, etc. That's where our specialty-trained joint revision surgeons come in.

When you visit us in our state-of-the-art clinic, one of our board-certified or fellowship-trained orthopedic providers will be happy to meet with you to diagnose your issue, which may involve using our on-site imaging diagnostics, such as X-rays and MRI scans. Our specialty-trained surgical joint care providers will be able to advise on whether or not you need a revision and provide the surgery and/or nonsurgical treatment protocols you need.

Call (812) 376-9353 or request an appointment online to be seen by one of our joint revision specialists in Columbus, North Vernon, Seymour, or Greensburg.

The Strength of Experience at Southern Indiana Orthopedics

At Southern Indiana Orthopedics, we have the expertise and technology to provide exceptional orthopedic care dedicated to making you stronger. Our orthopedic surgeons and doctors, including our joint revision surgeons, have extensive, specialized knowledge, training, and experience to provide the treatment you need to reach your goals. Our joint revision surgeons, Dr. Douglas Federle, Dr. Cary Guse, and Dr. Matthew Lovell, are here to serve your individual needs with compassion and exceptional care. 

If you've had a joint replacement in the past but are experiencing pain or discomfort now, it may be because of an issue with your prosthesis or original surgery. The good news is that rehabilitation is possible. Return to a pain-free life, and to full mobility, by calling (812) 376-9353 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online and be seen at our main location in Columbus or at our North Vernon, Seymour, or Greensburg outreach clinics.