An interesting article in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British volume) reported that:

‘In a systematic review, reports from national registers and clinical studies were identified and analysed with respect to revision rates after joint replacement, which were calculated as revisions per 100 observed component years.

The outcomes of total hip and knee replacement are almost identical. Revision rates of about 6% after five years and 12% after ten years are to be expected.’

This confirms the generally excellent outcomes of these operations, but the authors point out that, just because a joint replacement has not been revised (re-done), it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is functioning well.