How many replacement surgeries can someone have on their hip. My mother-in-law had a replacement that lasted about 12 years and then it broke. The doctor fixed it but now, just a year later, it’s broken again and they want to operate again. Is that a good idea or is enough enough?

Without knowing your mother-in-law’s history and knowing anything about her hip, it isn’t possible to tell if the second revision surgery is a good idea. However, revision surgeries are done to remove the broken piece, regain lost motion and reduce or eliminate pain. When the surgeon feels that surgery will help with one or all of those goals, then it could be an option, if the patient agrees.

In order to do revision surgery, the patient must have enough healthy bone available to attach to the prosthesis. If your mother-in-law’s doctor is suggesting surgery, it is likely that he or she feels that your mother-in-law has the bone that is needed.