The first time your knee is replaced its a TKR. If for some reason that fails the next surgery is called a revision. Its a more complex surgery because the surgeon has to remove the TKR and rework the knee. There is differing opinions on using cement or cementless replacements. In my situation with all of the failures - unstable knee - my surgeon used my banked red blood cells mixed with the cement on my last revision. I will say my knee is stable and sound. Still bruised, quite swollen and stiff but it is stable.
The surgeon whom did my TKR referred me on because of the complexity of my post surgery issues. Many surgeon's wouldn't see me. I'd done my homework and knew whom I wanted to do my surgery and waited to see him. Before ever seeing him he'd ordered ton's on blood work and knee scans, of course along with all past surgical charts. He has done my three revisions. Some questioned me but he is whom I felt comfortable with and respected. Equally he respected both hubby and myself - we weren't a number, we were a challenge. For my last revision - Oct - I can't tell you the massive amount of scans, xrays, blood work, blood banking, nerve studies, etc I had done prior. Its rare anyone has this many revisions - don't I feel special!! The day of the surgery he did 2 scopes in the morning. The surgery team then had lunch then I was up - he'd basically cleared his schedule to be able to give my knee the time it needed to be corrected. He'd said it would be a very long surgery, and it was. It was over 6 hours - he was meticulous, as I'd expected him to be. In the hospital he came in at least 2x's a day and his PA also. He said my knee "humbled him." Not many surgeons would admit that. At least I don't think they would. My point in rambling on - it takes time to find the right person to operate on you. If you want the same surgeon and feel confident go for it. If your hesitant at all, start looking for a new surgeon.