Indications
- Loosening of the implant from the bone
- Polyethylene liner wear
- Infection
- Instability — soft tissue stretch over time
- Periprosthetic fracture
- Patellofemoral pain — particularly when the patella was not resurfaced previously
Surgical technique
Surgery is usually performed under spinal anaesthesia and takes anywhere from 90 minutes to over four hours depending on complexity. The existing implants are carefully removed, preserving bone where possible. Specialised revision components are then inserted, often with metal augments to compensate for bone loss and longer-stem components to gain stable fixation deeper in the bone.
ATTUNE Revision Knee System
Mr Gormack uses modern revision implants including the ATTUNE Revision Knee System, designed specifically for the demands of revision surgery — modular stems, augments, sleeves and constrained bearings to match the requirements of each case.
Recovery
- Hospital stay: 2–7 nights depending on complexity.
- Walking aids: crutches or a frame for approximately 6 weeks.
- Full recovery: several months, with ongoing improvement up to a year.
Outcomes
The majority of patients experience favourable long-term pain relief and functional improvement after revision knee replacement. Outcomes are influenced by the reason for revision, the quality of bone and soft tissues, and the patient's general health.
Risks
Revision knee surgery carries a higher risk profile than primary replacement — infection, bleeding, stiffness, nerve or vessel injury, fracture and rarer complications. These are discussed in depth before any decision to operate.