Getting ready for your operation
Test & Checks
Before undergoing your total hip replacement, your doctor will prescribe a complete physical examination to assess your condition and to ensure that there are no factors that could interfere with your surgery.
Test
Your doctor may ask you for blood and urine tests and possibly a cardiogram, prior to your surgery.
Test Yourself
- Check your skin
If your hip and leg have any skin infections or irritation, contact your orthopaedic surgeon prior to surgery: he or she will tell you how best to prepare your skin for surgery. - Check your teeth
The incidence of infection after hip replacement is very low, but even an infection far from the hip joint can spread through the bloodstream to the new hip. Prevention is the best way to avoid early problems. Therefore, you should contact your dentist to have your teeth checked before your total hip replacement surgery.
Medication
Prior to surgery, provide your surgeon with a complete list of the medications you are taking including doses and times. He or she will inform you if you need to stop or change any medication.
Special Equipment
After the intervention special equipment, such as support stockings and crutches, may be needed: you can rent or buy them from specialized shops. Check with your physiotherapist.