Private Revision Hip Replacement Surgery | Find Accredited Hip Surgeons

What is private revision hip replacement surgery?

Revision hip replacement (also called revision total hip arthroplasty) is a surgery to repair or exchange parts of an artificial hip joint that have failed.

Think of a hip replacement like the tires and suspension on a car. Over many years (or due to complications), parts can wear down, loosen from the bone, or move out of alignment.

Primary hip replacement: The first time the natural ball-and-socket are replaced.
Revision hip replacement: The “redo” surgery to fix the artificial parts.

Why do people need it?

Loosening: The metal stem or cup pulls away from the bone, causing pain (often in the thigh or groin) with every step.
Wear: The plastic (polyethylene) liner wears out, creating debris that can damage bone (osteolysis).
Instability: The hip pops out of the socket (dislocates) repeatedly.
Infection: Bacteria settle on the metal/plastic, requiring cleaning and component exchange.
Fracture: A fall causes the bone around the implant to break (periprosthetic fracture).

What actually happens

Remove the old parts: The surgeon carefully removes the loose, worn, or infected components while preserving as much healthy bone as possible.
Rebuild the joint: New specialized components (often with longer stems or screws) are placed to ensure a tight fit.
Restore stability: The surgeon balances the muscles and length of the leg to prevent future dislocations.

Why do it?‍

When a hip replacement fails, it hurts to walk, limits your life, and can damage the bone if left untreated. Revision surgery aims to stop the pain, protect the remaining bone, and get you moving again.

Why do people choose to have revision hip replacement surgery done privately?

Shorter wait times‍

Revision hip replacement can involve long waits for assessment, imaging, and operating room time. Private pathways may speed up consults and surgery—reducing time spent in pain or with limited mobility.

Choice and control‍

Going private can help you:

choose a surgeon who does revision hip replacements regularly
schedule around work, caregiving, and travel
get a clear plan (what is failing, what parts will be changed, and whether infection is suspected)

Peace of mind‍

A predictable date makes it easier to arrange:

time off work
travel/accommodation (if out of province)
post‑op help at home and physiotherapy

Preventing further decline

loosening can cause worsening pain and progressive bone loss
instability raises fall risk and can damage soft tissues
infection, if present, can spread and destroy bone if not treated properly

Integrated care‍

Some private programs offer streamlined imaging, coordinated anaesthesia/pain plans, and virtual follow‑ups—useful if you live far away.

Why use Surgency

For Canadians who want surgery in weeks, not months

Surgency is a free resource by a Canadian physician in the public system to help you find the right surgeon for your needs.

Click to Browse Surgeons

Older couple hugging each other on the couch

What can I expect from the recovery process?

Your surgeon will give you a detailed plan. Revision recovery can be slower than a first hip replacement, especially if there was bone loss, fracture, or infection.

Week 1

Reality check: Pain, swelling, bruising, and fatigue are common. Walking usually requires a walker.
Goals: Safe mobility, pain control, protecting the hip, and preventing clots.
Activities: Short frequent walks, basic exercises, icing/elevation, and following hip precautions (if prescribed).

Weeks 2–4

Still sore, usually improving.
Goals: Better walking tolerance, improving hip strength, and independence with daily tasks.
Activities: Gradual increase in walking. Physio may start or continue depending on surgeon preference and stability.

Weeks 5–12

The building phase.
Goals: Regain strength, balance, and endurance; reduce limp.
Activities: More strengthening (glutes, hip abductors), stationary bike if cleared, longer walks.

Months 3–12

Function continues to improve.
Goals: Return to most normal daily activities; build long-term strength and confidence.
Activities: Progress low-impact exercise. Some restrictions may apply if stability is a concern.

Red flags—call your care team or seek urgent help

fever, worsening wound redness, or drainage
sudden severe hip pain, a “pop,” or inability to bear weight
hip feels like it slipped out (possible dislocation)
calf pain/swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath

How much does revision hip replacement cost?

Exact pricing depends on how much is being revised (liner/head exchange vs full revision), implant complexity, bone grafting, and length of hospital stay. Always ask for a written, itemized quote.

Cost in Canada (private)

Typical range: $30,000 - $70,000+‍

Complex cases (major bone loss, fractures, staged infection treatment) can be higher.

Cost in the United States

Typical range: CA$41,700 - CA$100,000+
Costs vary by hospital, region, and complexity.

What’s usually included

surgeon and anaesthesiologist fees
accredited facility/OR fees, nursing, standard supplies
revision implants/components used (confirm exactly what’s included)
immediate recovery care and early follow-up visits (varies)

What’s often not included

pre‑op imaging and labs done outside the clinic (X‑rays, CT, blood tests)
infection workup (aspiration, special cultures) if billed separately
extended hospital stay, inpatient rehab, or home nursing
outpatient physiotherapy after discharge
medications after discharge
travel/accommodation if out‑of‑province/state

Tips to compare quotes‍

Ask if pricing is a global bundle. Request line items for surgeon, facility, anaesthesia, implant costs, hospital nights, imaging, follow-ups, and what triggers extra charges.

Choosing a surgeon or clinic

Choosing your surgeon is a major benefit of pursuing private surgery. Revision hip replacement is more complex than a first-time replacement, so picking the right team matters.

What to look for

Experience and volume (revision‑specific)‍

Ask how many revision hip replacements they do each year (not just primary hip replacements).

Revision has a learning curve and is more technically demanding because:

removing well‑fixed components without damaging bone requires specific skills
managing bone loss (gaps/weak areas) often needs grafts or special metal augments
restoring stability is harder once soft tissues have been cut before
dealing with infection workups requires strict protocols

Also ask about their case mix:

liner exchange vs full component revision
instability revisions (fixing a hip that dislocates)
bone-loss revisions (using cups with extra screws/flanges or long stems)
infection cases (one‑stage vs two‑stage protocols, if offered)

Credentials and training

Verify licensure with your provincial college (CPSO Ontario, CPSBC BC, CPSA Alberta, CMQ Québec, etc.)
Look for FRCSC-certified orthopaedic surgeons with fellowship training in adult reconstruction (arthroplasty)
Bonus: surgeons who regularly teach revision techniques, publish outcomes, or participate in arthroplasty societies (often correlates with high-volume subspecialization)

For a more in-depth guide read, How to Understand Surgeon Credentials in Canada

Outcomes and safety (ask for real numbers)‍

Request recent data (or at least typical rates) for their revision practice:

Infection rate
Dislocation rate (higher in revisions—ask how they minimise this)
Readmissions within 30–90 days
Re‑revision rate (needing another revision later)
Leg length discrepancy (ask how they plan to equalise leg lengths)
Patient-reported outcomes: pain relief and return-to-walking expectations

Clear diagnosis

A good revision surgeon won’t jump straight to surgery. They should carefully confirm why your hip is failing.

They should be comfortable assessing:

loosening vs wear vs instability
whether pain could be referred from the spine (back) or knee
whether there is infection (this is critical—painful hips without a clear mechanical cause are treated as infected until proven otherwise)

In many cases, a proper workup includes:

updated X‑rays and sometimes CT scans
bloodwork (ESR/CRP) to screen for infection
sometimes a hip aspiration (fluid sample)

Surgical plan and implant strategy‍

Ask:

What is your working diagnosis and what are the options?
What implant approach do you expect: standard vs long stems, dual-mobility cups, or constrained liners?
How will you restore stability and leg length?
What is the plan if you find more bone loss or muscle damage than expected?

Infection pathway‍

Revision outcomes depend heavily on how infection is detected and treated.

Ask:

How do you rule out infection before surgery?
If infection is found during surgery, what happens next?
Do you work with infectious disease specialists?
Do you perform one‑stage or two‑stage revisions for infection?

Facility accreditation and safety systems‍

Choose accredited centres (e.g., Accreditation Canada / CAAASF) with:

experienced anaesthesia and internal medicine support (revisions can be longer and bleed more)
cell salvage (recycling your blood) or blood bank access if needed
ability to manage complex post-op pain
a clear transfer pathway to a hospital for emergencies
capacity for overnight stays (most revisions require at least 1–3 nights)

Rehab integration‍

You want a written plan covering:

weight‑bearing status (some revisions require partial weight-bearing for weeks)
hip precautions (movements to avoid to prevent dislocation)
equipment needs (walker, raised toilet seat, grab bars)
how follow-ups work if you live out of province
who to call after hours for wound issues or fever

Transparent pricing ‍

Request an itemized quote including:

surgeon fee
facility/OR fees
anaesthesia
implant costs (and which revision components are included—these can be double the cost of primary implants)
hospital stay/overnights (and what triggers extra nights)
follow-ups, imaging, and labs
what happens financially if the plan changes (e.g., a simple liner exchange becomes a complex full revision)

Questions to ask at your revision hip consultation

Surgeon and plan

How many revision hip replacements do you perform yearly?
How many cases like mine (same problem: loosening/instability/infection)?
What exactly is failing in my hip, and how confident are you in the diagnosis?

Technique and implants

Do I need a liner exchange, head/ball exchange, or full revision—and why?
Will you need to use bone graft or metal augments?
Will you use a dual-mobility cup or constrained liner to prevent dislocation?

Safety and infection

What tests will you use to rule out infection (aspiration, blood work)?
What are your rates of infection, dislocation, and reoperation?
Do you have cell salvage (blood recycling) available?

Recovery and after-care

How long will I be in hospital?
What are my specific hip precautions (restrictions on bending/twisting)?
When can I walk, drive, and return to work?

Costs and logistics

What is included in my quote, and what could increase the price?
If I’m travelling from another province, which follow-ups can be virtual?
If a complication happens (like a dislocation), where am I treated, and how is it billed?

Signals of a high-quality revision hip program

The surgeon does revision cases regularly
They insist on a proper diagnosis (especially infection rule‑out) before booking
They explain options clearly, including the risks of different implant choices
The clinic is accredited and has a clear hospital transfer pathway
You receive a written rehab plan and clear follow-up process
Pricing is transparent and itemized, including “what if the plan changes” terms

Revision hip replacement - frequently asked questions

How do I know if surgery is right for me?

Revision hip replacement is usually considered when your current hip replacement is painful, unstable, or damaging your bone.

Signs revision might be right for you

Pain with weight-bearing: You have thigh or groin pain every time you step on that leg.
Instability: Your hip has dislocated (popped out) more than once, or you feel it shifting.
Start-up pain: You have significant pain when you first stand up or start walking.
Imaging findings: X-rays or CT scans show the implant has moved, the bone around it is dissolving (osteolysis), or the plastic liner is worn through.
Infection signs: You have a draining sinus (hole in the skin), chronic swelling, or pain that persists even at rest/night.

When it might not be the right option (or risks are higher)

Pain is referred: The pain is actually coming from your back (spinal stenosis) or knee, not the hip joint.
Muscle weakness: If the hip abductor muscles are severely damaged, a revision might not fix the limp or stability issues without extra constraints.
Medical risk: Your general health (heart/lungs) makes a long surgery too risky.
Active infection without a plan: Surgery should not proceed until a clear infection treatment plan (often staged) is in place.

When to get assessed sooner

Sudden inability to walk: If you can’t put weight on the leg, the stem may have subsided or the bone may have fractured.
Recurrent dislocations: If the hip pops out, it damages soft tissues and makes future stability harder to achieve.
Draining wound: Any fluid leaking from an old hip incision is an emergency—seek assessment immediately.

Do I need a referral?

No, you do not need a referral for a private revision hip replacement consultation in Canada. You can book a consultation directly with a surgeon, and they will review your history and diagnostics. However, having a summary from your original surgeon or family doctor (plus previous operative reports) is extremely helpful.

How do I prepare surgery?

Your surgeon’s instructions come first—follow their plan if it differs. Revision surgery is bigger than the first time, so prep matters more.

Medical and health optimization

Get operative reports: Try to get the “implant record” or “operative note” from your previous hip surgery. Knowing exactly what is inside your leg helps the surgeon plan.
Dental check: Ensure you have no dental infections, as bacteria from the mouth can travel to the new hip.
Stop nicotine: Smoking increases the risk of infection and non-healing bone/wounds. Stop 4–6+ weeks before surgery.
Manage diabetes: Good blood sugar control reduces infection risk.
Weight/nutrition: Optimise your diet (protein/iron) to help healing and blood recovery.

Home prep

Clear pathways: Remove rugs and clutter to prevent falls.
Setup a “hip station”: Keep essentials (phone, meds, water, remote) at waist height so you don't have to bend.
Bed and chair height: Ensure your bed and favourite chair are high enough (knees shouldn't be above hips). You may need a raised toilet seat.
Equipment: Have your walker or crutches ready and adjusted.

Medication review

Share a full list of meds and supplements.
Pause blood thinners (anticoagulants) and certain arthritis meds as directed to reduce bleeding.
Ask about specific meds for diabetes or weight loss (GLP-1 agonists) that may need pausing before anaesthesia.

Skin prep

Use the antiseptic wash (chlorhexidine) as directed before surgery.
Do not shave the hip or leg yourself—micro-cuts increase infection risk. The team will do it if needed.

What to bring

Health card/ID and medication list.
Previous imaging (on CD or accessible online) if not already sent.
CPAP machine if you have sleep apnea.
Loose, comfortable clothes (shorts/pants that fit over a swollen hip/bandage).

What are the risks involved with revision hip replacement surgery?

Revision hip replacement carries higher risks than a first-time replacement because the tissues have been operated on before, the surgery takes longer, and bone may be weaker. Discuss your specific profile with your surgeon.

Common and usually temporary

Pain and swelling: Often more significant than the primary surgery.
Bruising: Can extend down the thigh to the knee.
Limp: Muscles may be weak or inhibited for weeks to months.
Leg length feeling: The leg may feel longer or shorter as muscles adapt or if length was changed to improve stability.

Less common

Infection: The risk is higher in revision cases (1–3% or more depending on complexity) compared to primary hips.
Dislocation: The risk is higher because scar tissue is weaker than original capsule. Following precautions is key.
Blood clots (DVT/PE): You will likely be on blood thinners to prevent this.
Fracture: The bone can crack during removal of old implants or insertion of new ones (often treated with cables/wires during surgery).
Nerve injury: Damage to the sciatic or femoral nerve can cause foot drop or thigh numbness/weakness (usually rare, but risk is higher if lengthening the leg).

Procedure-specific considerations

Loosening/Wear: Over time, even revision implants can wear out or loosen.
Heterotopic Ossification: Bone forming in the muscles around the hip (surgeons may use meds to prevent this).
Need for further surgery: If infection returns or instability persists.

Uncommon but important

Vascular injury: Rare damage to major blood vessels.
Medical complications: Heart attack, stroke, or pneumonia (risks increase with age and surgery length).

How you can lower risk

Follow hip precautions: Don’t cross legs or bend past 90 degrees if instructed.
Stop nicotine: Essential for wound and bone healing.
Take antibiotics for dental work: Ask your surgeon if you need lifelong antibiotics before dentist visits.
Move early: Walking helps prevent clots and pneumonia.

What are the risks of delaying or not pursuing surgery?

Your situation depends on whether the implant is loose, unstable, or infected.

Main risks of delaying (when revision is recommended)

Progressive bone loss (Osteolysis): A loose implant or worn plastic causes inflammation that “eats” the bone. Waiting too long can turn a straightforward revision into a massive reconstruction requiring major bone grafts or custom metal parts.
Fracture risk: Ideally, you fix a loose stem before it breaks the thigh bone. Fixing a periprosthetic fracture is much harder and has worse outcomes.
Soft tissue damage: Recurrent dislocations damage the muscles and capsule, making it harder to stabilise the hip later.
Infection spread: If infection is the cause, delaying can lead to sepsis (blood infection) or spread to other joints/organs.
Muscle atrophy: Walking with a painful limp weakens the glutes, making recovery prolonged and difficult.

When watchful waiting can be reasonable

Symptoms are mild and manageable.
X-rays show the implant is stable and not wearing out.
You are medically unfit for major surgery right now.

When not to delay (seek prompt assessment)

Sudden inability to walk: Could mean fracture or stem subsidence.
New drainage: Fluid leaking from the wound.
Fever/chills with hip pain: Signs of acute infection.
Frequent dislocations: Limits life and damages tissues.

I still have questions

If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us directly.
Please note: Surgency is not a clinic itself. Nor can we help with emergency situations, or provide personalized medical advice—that is between you and your surgeon. If you are experiencing acute or severe symptoms, please present to your local emergency department or urgent care centre.

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