Preparing for Surgery

Weight Loss

If you are overweight, your doctor may ask you to lose some weight before surgery to minimize the stress on your new hip, and potentially decrease the risks of surgery.

Dental Evaluation

Although the incidence of infections after hip replacement is very low, an infection can occur if bacteria enter the bloodstream.  Because bacteria can enter the bloodstream during dental procedures, you should consider getting treatment for significant dental diseases (including tooth extractions and periodontal work) before your hip replacement surgery.  Routine cleaning of your teeth should be delayed for several weeks after surgery.

Urinary Evaluation

A preoperative urological evaluation should be considered if you have a history of recent or frequent urinary infections.  For older men with prostate disease, required treatment should be considered prior to knee replacement surgery.

Social Planning

Although you will be able to walk with crutches or a walker soon after surgery, you will need some help for several weeks with such tasks as cooking, shopping, bathing and laundry.  If you live alone, your surgeon's office, a social worker, or a discharge planner at the hospital can help you make advance arrangements to have someone assist you at your home.  A short stay in an extended care facility during your recovery after surgery also may be arranged.

Home planning

Several suggestions can make your home easier to navigate during your recovery.  Consider these options:

  • Safety bars or a secure handrail in the shower or bath
  • Secure handrails along stairways
  • A stable chair for your early recovery with a firm seat cushion that allows your knees to remain lower than your hips, a firm back and two arms
  • A raised toilet seat
  • A stable shower bench or chair for bathing
  • A long-handled sponge and shower hose
  • A dressing stick, a sock aid and a long-handled shoe horn for putting on and taking off shoes and socks without excessively bending your new hip
  • Firm pillows to sit on that keep your knees lower than your hips for your chairs, sofas, and car
  • Removal of all loose carpets and electrical cords from the areas where you walk in your home

Pre-Surgery

Prior to admission, a member of the anesthesia team will evaluate you.  The most common types of anesthesia for hip replacement surgery are general anesthesia (which puts you to sleep throughout the procedure and uses a machine to help you breath) or spinal anesthesia (which allows you to breath on your own but anesthetizes your body from the waist down).  The anesthesia team will discuss these choices with you and help you decide which type of anesthesia is best for you.