Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery
Direct Answer
Preparation for hip replacement should reduce avoidable risk and make the first weeks at home safer. It includes confirming the diagnosis and indication, reviewing medical conditions and medicines, improving fitness where feasible, planning help and understanding the actual procedure and recovery.
Preparation is not a guarantee against complications. It is a structured way to identify modifiable problems and align the patient, surgeon, anaesthesia team and rehabilitation plan before the operation.
Confirm the Reason for Surgery
The diagnosis, imaging and symptom pattern should agree. Surgery is considered when pain and functional loss remain substantial despite appropriate alternatives and when the expected benefit justifies the risk. A second opinion is reasonable when these elements remain unclear.
Ask whether the planned operation is primary or revision, cemented or cementless, and whether special stability or bone-reconstruction components may be needed.
Medical Optimisation
Diabetes, anaemia, blood pressure, heart or lung disease, kidney function, nutrition, smoking and infection risk may require optimisation. Dental, skin or urinary symptoms should be reported rather than hidden to avoid postponement.
Bring a complete medicine and supplement list. Anticoagulants, diabetes medicines and immunosuppressive drugs require individual perioperative instructions; do not stop them based on generic internet advice.
Prehabilitation and Realistic Goals
Appropriate strengthening, walking practice and instruction in postoperative exercises can improve familiarity and confidence. The programme should not aggravate severe hip pain or create a fall risk.
Set personal goals such as sleeping, walking to work or managing stairs. Discuss floor sitting, squatting or manual work explicitly because they need activity-specific counselling.
Prepare the Home
Remove loose rugs, improve lighting, arrange a firm chair and keep frequently used items within reach. Confirm whether a raised toilet, bathing support or walker is advised. Plan transport and help with meals, medicines and errands.
If the home has stairs, practise the expected technique before surgery. Patients who live alone need a specific discharge and support plan rather than assuming independence from day one.
Documents and Questions to Bring
Carry current and previous imaging, medical reports, allergy information and any prior hip operation notes or implant records. Provide a short history of symptoms and treatments tried.
Ask about the approach, implant, anaesthesia, blood-clot prevention, expected weight bearing, wound care, warning signs, follow-up and who to contact after discharge. Clear answers are part of informed consent.
Create a Written First-Week Plan
Write down medication times, wound instructions, walking frequency, exercises, emergency contacts and the first follow-up. Assign who will collect medicines, prepare food and accompany the patient. A written plan reduces errors when pain, fatigue and new routines make verbal instructions difficult to remember.
The plan should include constipation, nausea and sleep management because these common problems can derail mobility. It should also state which symptoms require a phone call and which require emergency care. Keep the discharge summary and medicine list together so every caregiver is following the same instructions.
Questions Patients Commonly Ask
Should I stop blood thinners before surgery?
Only according to an individual plan from the prescribing doctor, surgeon and anaesthesia team. Stopping too early or continuing inappropriately can both be dangerous.
Do I need to lose weight before hip replacement?
Weight can affect risk, but there is no single answer for every patient. Discuss realistic optimisation without allowing indefinite delay of necessary care.
What should I arrange at home?
Safe walking space, a suitable chair, bathroom plan, medicines, meals, transport and help for the first phase are the priorities.
What if I develop a skin or dental infection before surgery?
Inform the surgical team promptly. Active infection may require treatment and can change the timing of elective replacement.
Related Hip Treatment Pages
Continue with hip replacement surgery in Mumbai, hip replacement risks and complications, and hip replacement recovery timeline for the connected diagnosis, treatment and recovery pathways.
Explore the complete Hip Guides hub for all related patient guides.
For focused follow-up, read Blood Clots After Hip Replacement and First Week After Hip Replacement.
Clinical References and Further Reading
NICE NG157: Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder
AAOS OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement
About the Medical Author
Dr. Mayur Rabhadiya is an Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon in Mumbai. His hip practice includes diagnosis-led assessment, AVN evaluation, primary and revision hip replacement planning, and robotic-assisted planning in selected cases.
Qualifications: MBBS, D’Ortho, DNB (Orthopedics), MNAMS (Orthopedics), FIJR (Robotic & Navigation).
Last medically reviewed: 17 July 2026. Medical reviewer: Dr. Mayur Rabhadiya.
Book a Hip Consultation in Mumbai
Book an orthopedic consultation with Dr. Mayur Rabhadiya in Ghatkopar, Mumbai. Bring current and previous imaging, operation notes and implant records when available.
Call or WhatsApp: +91 84249 03913 / +91 96113 30063.
Medical Disclaimer
This guide is for general patient education and does not replace a personal consultation, examination, diagnosis or treatment plan. Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, fever with wound problems, sudden inability to bear weight, chest pain or breathlessness.