Revision total hip and knee replacement.

The number of primary and revision total joint arthroplasty procedures is increasing exponentially with time. It is anticipated that there will be a huge expected demand for revision knee surgery over the next 2 decades. Knee revisions alone are projected to increase by 601% between 2005 and 2030 in the United States.(2) Awareness is needed by both general practitioner and physician for the signs of failure of these implants and when to refer to the surgeon. Infection remains the primary cause to exclude first. Unless the surgeon accurately identifies the mode of failure, successful treatment becomes very unlikely; an increasing physical burden on the patient and financial burden on hospital trusts ensues. In comparison with primary joint arthroplasty, complication rates after revision surgery are significantly increased, and outcome is less assured.