Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery

NOTE: Depending on which type of hip replacement surgery is the best option for you, whether that be Posterior or Anterior, you may have different ways of preparing for hip replacement surgery.

It is important to note that both mental and physical preparation are needed for a successful result. Understand the process and your role in hip replacement surgery, this can help you recover more quickly and have fewer problems. Additionally, make sure you work with a doctor that you trust and is Board Certified.

Leading up to the Surgery

Before surgery, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination to make sure you don’t have any conditions that could interfere with the surgery or the outcomes. Routine tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, are usually performed a week before any major surgery.

Tips for Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery:

During the weeks approaching the surgery, eat at a well-balanced diet, supplemented by a daily multivitamin with iron. If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery will help decrease the stress you place on your new joint. However, you should not diet during the month before your surgery.

Discuss with your doctor: all medications you are taking to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery

If you are taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications or warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you will need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimize bleeding

Discuss with your doctor: options for preparing for potential blood replacement, including donating your own blood, medical interventions, and other treatments, prior to surgery

Discuss with your doctor: Any infections you may have prior to surgery. Surgery cannot be performed until all infections have cleared up.

If you smoke, you should stop or cut down to reduce your surgery risks and improve your recovery Have any tooth, gum, bladder or bowel problems treated before surgery to reduce the risk of infection later

The Day of Hip Replacement Surgery

If you are having day surgery, remember the following: Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours Do Not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home The combination of anaesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting.

Expectations After Hip Replacement Surgery

After Your Surgery, arrange for someone to help out with everyday tasks like cooking, shopping and laundry. Put items that you use often within easy reach before surgery so you won’t have to reach and bend as often. Remove all loose carpets and tape down electrical cords to avoid falls Make sure you have a stable chair with a firm seat cushion, a firm back and two arms

Going Home After Hip Replacement Surgery

After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat. Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours If you had surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hand or elbow), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty controlling the pain

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Dr. Nakul Karkare

Hip Treatment

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