Hip Implant Revision in Rare Bone Cyst Case, Preserving Mobility in a Young Female Patient

Doctors at Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, have successfully performed a complex hip implant revision surgery on a 36-year-old woman with a rare medical history involving a bone tumour followed years later by a bone cyst in her right hip. The condition, though benign, was a potentially aggressive bone lesion. The timely intervention has allowed her to walk comfortably and live an active life once again.

She was first treated nearly ten years ago for a giant cell tumour, a type of bone growth, and during routine long-term check-ups, doctors later detected an aneurysmal bone cyst, a fluid-filled cavity that can weaken the bone. Early detection allowed doctors to intervene promptly, even though the patient experienced no pain or symptoms.

Seeking expert advice, she consulted Dr. Simon Thomas, Senior Director – Robotic Joint Replacements & Orthopaedics at Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh. Detailed investigations showed gradual wear of the plastic lining within the hip implant, along with migration of the implant head. These wear-related changes had also begun to affect the surrounding bone. Based on the findings, Dr. Thomas advised a planned hip implant revision to safeguard her mobility and prevent the need for more complex surgery in the future.

The surgery involved replacing only the worn-out component of the hip implant with a newer, more durable part, while preserving the rest of the implant. Surgeons also carefully removed tissue damaged by long-term wear to protect the surrounding bone. Following the successful procedure, the patient began mobilising the very next day and was walking comfortably.

Usually in cases of hip replacement, the doctor performs the surgery, the patient walks normally and that’s the end of story. But where the primary pathology is a as rare as a Giant Cell tumour around the hip, the patient needed meticulous follow up to detect any recurrence or early loosening as the patient was quite young. Usually, excision takes care of such tumours. But in rare cases, they may present again as the same tumour or as an evolved variant, which may be difficult to treat if not timely detected.

Commenting on the case, Dr. Simon Thomas, said, “Conditions like aneurysmal bone cysts can gradually weaken the bone from within, even when patients have no pain or visible symptoms. In this case, long-term surveillance helped us detect both early implant wear and bone changes caused by the cyst before they led to fractures or implant failure. A timely, planned revision—replacing only the worn component—allowed us to protect the surrounding bone, prevent future complications, and help the patient return quickly to an active and comfortable life.”

With this timely implant revision surgery, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, reinforces its expertise in advanced orthopaedic care, helping patients maintain mobility and quality of life many years after their original treatment.