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How Patient Prepares

Once you and your doctor have determined that hip replacement surgery is the best course of action for you, you'll begin getting ready for surgery. While that includes a series of medical evaluations and tests, it also involves a number of health and home planning activities.

Proper advance preparation for surgery helps reduce complications both during and after the operation, as well as speeding up your recovery. Be forward-thinking in your planning. For example, if you need a special parking permit - common for up to three months following hip replacement surgery - the time to discuss it with your surgeon is before, not after, your operation.

Medical Evaluation: Your medical history and a series of diagnostic tests will reveal if you have any conditions that might interfere with a successful hip surgery.

Diagnostic Tests: Used to help plan your surgery, tests include blood work, x-rays, cardiogram and urine sample.

Reva's corner:
A well informed patient recovers quicker, and studies show this. People handle unexpected events easier when they are informed, even though most surgeries are uneventful.

Health Planning

Perhaps the most important part of health planning is to openly, honestly talk with your surgeon about any factors that might affect the success of your procedure - and to do it well before your scheduled surgery date. That includes any medications you're currently taking and any medical conditions you may have. Below is a partial list of some of the most common concerns:

Medications: Advise your surgeon of all medications you're currently taking, prescription or over-the-counter.

Blood Thinner: Discontinue taking blood thinner medication 5-10 days prior to your surgery. Notify the prescribing doctor and ask for specific instructions. There are many different anticoagulants (blood thinners). Some thinners, like Plavix, may need more or less days - always check with your surgeon.
Aspirin: Do not take aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, Relafen or Naproxyn for approximately 10 days before your surgery. If you are taking aspirin under a doctor's care, ask them for instructions about when to discontinue taking it.
Diabetics: If you're a diabetic, your surgeon will probably schedule your surgery early in the day. When you visit your family doctor for your pre-surgery physical and evaluation, ask them for instructions about how to manage your diabetes medication the day of your surgery.

Reva's corner:
Make sure you stop taking any herbal vitamins, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory medications. Stop taking any herbs, especially the "G" herbs such as garlic, gingko, and ginseng. These herbs mimic anticoagulants (natural blood thinners).

Prepare Your Skin: Your skin should be free of any infections or irritations before your surgery. If you experience either of these, contact your orthopaedic surgeon for instructions on how to treat the condition.

Donate Blood: Although not as critical as it used to be, you may still choose to donate blood in case you need a transfusion after surgery (this is called an autologous donation). Again, be sure to tell your surgeon about any medications you're taking.

Finish Dental Work: If possible, finalize all dental work before your hip replacement surgery. Any dental work, including routine teeth cleaning, can cause bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Normally not a cause for concern, it can result in infection if your immune system is already weakened - as it will be after surgery. Cavities and gum disease can also be a source of infection. In fact, as a recipient of an artificial hip, you'll need antibiotics before all dental surgeries for the rest of your life.

Lose Weight: If you are overweight, it's a good idea to drop some pounds before surgery if possible. Losing weight will minimize stress on your new prosthetic hip.

Reva's corner:
It's a good idea to exercise prior to surgery to increase your strength, so you will have flexibility to exercise after your surgery. Practice with a walker, so it will be familiar to you after the surgery, as well as lifting yourself out of a chair. Do chair push-ups if you can.

Stop Smoking and Drinking: It's advisable to quit smoking - or at least cut back - prior to your operation. Don't drink alcohol for at least 48 hours prior to your surgery. The American Cancer Society reports that smoking decreases the ability of the body to heal normally compared to a nonsmoker. It has been reported stopping even a week prior to surgery can help this.¹

Urinary Evaluation: If you have a history of frequent urinary infections, schedule a urological evaluation before your surgery. This is especially important for men with prostate disease.

Reference:
1. The American Council on Science and Health