Knee Revision Surgery for a Failed Knee Replacement Procedure

Still Living with Knee Pain After a Knee Replacement?

A knee replacement is designed to relieve pain and help you return to an active lifestyle. While most knee replacements are successful, some patients continue to experience pain, stiffness, instability, or limited mobility long after surgery. Revision surgery can help.

If you’re still struggling with knee pain after a knee replacement, you may have a failed knee replacement. The good news is that you don’t have to live with ongoing discomfort. Knee revision surgery can correct many problems associated with a failed knee replacement and help restore comfort, stability, and function.

Dr. Eldon Hopkins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and treating failed knee replacements. With more than 4,000 successful joint replacement surgeries performed, Dr. Hopkins and his team are recognized for delivering exceptional outcomes using the latest minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate.

What Is a Failed Knee Replacement?

A failed knee replacement occurs when an artificial knee joint no longer functions as intended. This can happen months or even years after the original surgery and doesn’t necessarily mean the first procedure was performed incorrectly.

Over time, implants can loosen, wear out, become infected, or develop other complications that lead to pain and reduced function.

If your knee replacement continues to hurt or your mobility has declined, it’s important to have your knee evaluated by a surgeon experienced in knee revision surgery.

Common Symptoms of a Failed Knee Replacement

Revision surgery is an option to correct failed replacement surgery. You may be experiencing a failed knee replacement if you have:

• Persistent or worsening knee pain
• Pain while walking, standing, or climbing stairs
• Knee stiffness
• Swelling around the knee
• Instability or the feeling that the knee “gives out”
• Clicking, grinding, or popping sensations
• Limited range of motion
• Difficulty bending or straightening your knee
• Trouble performing everyday activities
• Pain that interferes with sleep

Persistent pain after knee replacement surgery is not something you should simply accept.

Why Knee Replacements Fail

Several conditions can cause a knee replacement to fail.

• Implant Loosening
• Over time, the implant may separate from the surrounding bone, causing pain and instability.
• Wear of Implant Components
• Years of normal use can gradually wear the artificial joint.
• Infection
• An infection around the implant can cause pain, swelling, warmth, and serious complications if not treated promptly.
• Knee Instability
• Loose ligaments or improper alignment can make the knee feel unstable during everyday activities.
• Implant Misalignment
• If implant positioning changes or alignment issues develop, uneven forces can lead to pain and premature wear.
• Bone Loss
• Loss of bone around the implant may reduce stability and make revision surgery necessary.
• Persistent Knee Pain After Replacement

Sometimes the exact source of pain requires advanced evaluation before the appropriate treatment can be recommended.

What Is Knee Revision Surgery?

As hip revision surgery is to failed hip replacement, knee revision surgery is a specialized procedure that replaces part or all of a previous knee replacement.

Revision surgery is generally more complex than the original knee replacement because the surgeon must:

• Remove worn or loose implants in the knee
• Preserve healthy bone in the knee whenever possible
• Correct the cause of persistent knee pain
• Restore proper knee stability and alignment
• Implant new components designed for long-term function

The goal is to reduce knee pain, improve movement, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.

Why Experience in Knee Revision Matters

Revision knee replacement surgery is one of the most technically demanding procedures in orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Eldon Hopkins has extensive experience treating patients with painful and failed knee replacements. Having performed more than 4,000 successful hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries, he carefully evaluates every patient to determine the true source of their pain before recommending treatment.

Patients choose Dr. Hopkins because he is known for:

• Expertise in complex knee revision surgery
• Comprehensive evaluation of failed knee replacements
• Advanced surgical techniques for chronic pain
• Minimally invasive approaches when appropriate
• Personalized treatment plans
• Compassionate, patient-centered care
• A commitment to restoring mobility and quality of life

Comprehensive Evaluation for Knee Pain

Not every painful knee replacement requires revision surgery.

Dr. Hopkins begins with a complete evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Your evaluation may include:

• Medical history
• Physical examination
• Digital X-rays
• Advanced imaging when appropriate
• Laboratory testing to evaluate for infection
• Review of previous surgical records

Only after identifying the source of your pain will a personalized treatment plan be recommended.

Is Knee Revision Surgery Right for You?

You may be a candidate for knee revision surgery if you have:

• Ongoing knee pain after knee replacement
• A loose knee implant
• Knee instability
• Implant wear
• Infection involving the knee replacement
• Difficulty walking because of knee pain
• Limited mobility that affects your daily life
• A failed total knee replacement

Every patient is unique, and treatment should always be based on the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Recovery After Knee Revision Surgery

Recovery depends on the complexity of your revision procedure, your overall health, and your commitment to rehabilitation.

Physical therapy plays an important role in rebuilding strength, improving flexibility, and restoring knee function. Many patients experience significant improvements in pain, stability, and mobility as they recover.

Dr. Hopkins and his team provide ongoing support throughout your recovery to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Don’t Accept Ongoing Knee Pain

Many people believe they simply have to live with pain after a knee replacement.

That isn’t true.

If you’re experiencing persistent knee pain or your knee replacement has failed, you deserve an evaluation from a surgeon experienced in complex revision procedures.

Dr. Eldon Hopkins specializes in helping patients find answers when their original knee replacement hasn’t delivered the results they expected. Through careful diagnosis and advanced knee revision surgery, he helps patients regain comfort, confidence, and mobility.

Schedule Your Knee Revision Consultation

If you’re experiencing pain after knee replacement surgery, don’t wait for your symptoms to get worse.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Eldon Hopkins to determine the cause of your knee pain and learn whether knee revision surgery may be the right solution.

Together, you’ll develop a personalized treatment plan focused on relieving pain, improving function, and helping you get back to the activities you enjoy.

Our Hip and Knee Pain Services

• Knee Replacement
• Partial Joint Replacement
• Revision Hip
• Revision Knee
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Total Hip Replacement
• Total Knee Replacement