Welcome to our health education library. The information shared below is provided to you as an educational and informational source only and is not intended to replace a medical examination or consultation, or medical advice given to you by a physician or medical professional.
Getting Ready for Hip Replacement Surgery
Take steps ahead of time to make recovery easier. Make a few simple changes around the house. Also, arrange for someone to help you for a couple of weeks after your hip replacement. Before surgery, your surgeon may talk with you about ways to manage blood loss. You may also be told to see your primary care doctor and your dentist. Treating health and dental problems now may improve healing after a joint replacement. If you're a smoker, do your best to stop or cut down.
Put items you use often within easy reach. You will want to avoid using a stool or bending over.
Prepare at Home
Stock up on canned and frozen foods. Store all supplies between waist and shoulder level.
Prepare a room on the main living level if you usually sleep upstairs. Or set things up so you have to go upstairs only once a day.
Pick up clutter and remove throw rugs. Tape down electrical cords.
Practice using devices such as a long-handled grasper. Now is a good time to learn this skill.
Have a raised toilet seat put in. This will protect your hip joint, so using the bathroom will be safer.
Use Special Equipment
Special equipment may help you have a safer and easier recovery. If pre-op training is offered, try using the devices before surgery. Some of the most helpful equipment is listed below.
An elevated toilet seat
A shower seat
Handrails and grab bars to help you steady yourself, especially when getting in and out of the tub
A grasping device to pull on socks and shoes
Managing Blood Loss
During major surgery, a significant amount of blood loss can occur. This can cause the body's red blood cell level to drop below a healthy range. Blood management can help prepare your body for surgery and recovery. There are three main ways to manage blood loss.
You may be able to donate your own blood before surgery. Then you can receive your banked blood as needed.
You may receive blood donated by another person. This blood is screened to rule out disease.
A drug called epoetin alfa can be given before surgery. This drug stimulates the body to produce red blood cells, sometimes reducing the need for transfusion.
See Your Doctor
You are likely to have lab or blood tests. You also may have an ECG (electrocardiogram). A chest x-ray may also be taken.
Your doctor will talk with you about health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which need to be controlled before surgery.
Work with your doctor to clear up any infections before surgery. Doing so helps ensure a better recovery.
For your best recovery, you'll be told to take care of yourself ahead of time. Maintain proper nutrition and reduce alcohol intake.
If you smoke, quit before surgery. This may improve healing and reduce complications after joint replacement.
Discuss Your Medications
Tell your surgeon about all of the medications you take. This includes herbs and supplements, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medications. Some medications don't go well with anesthesia. Others, such as aspirin, blood thinners, and ibuprofen, increase bleeding. To avoid problems during surgery, you may need to stop taking certain medications before hip replacement.
Finish Dental Work
Have any tooth or gum problems treated before surgery. Also, finish any dental work that may be under way. If you don't, germs in your mouth could enter the bloodstream and infect the new joint. This could delay your recovery. In an extreme case, infection in the new joint might mean that the prosthesis would have to be removed.