Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery
Preparing for hip replacement should reduce avoidable risk, clarify the surgical plan and make discharge and the first weeks at home safer. Preparation includes confirming that the hip is the main pain source, reviewing medical conditions and medicines, improving strength where feasible, preventing infection and arranging practical support.
For the principal treatment page, read Hip Replacement Surgeon in Mumbai.
Quick Preparation Checklist
Confirm the diagnosis, indication and expected benefit.
Complete the surgeon and anaesthesia assessments.
Provide a full medicine, supplement and allergy list.
Optimise diabetes, anaemia, blood pressure, heart, lung, kidney and nutritional issues.
Report dental, urinary, respiratory and skin infections or wounds.
Follow individual instructions for anticoagulants and diabetes medicines.
Prepare transport, home safety, meals, medicines and caregiver support.
Confirm the Diagnosis and Surgical Plan
The symptoms, examination and imaging should agree. Hip replacement is considered when joint damage causes substantial pain and functional loss and suitable non-surgical treatment no longer provides acceptable benefit. Lower-back, nerve, tendon, bursal and knee conditions can mimic hip-joint pain and should be recognised before surgery.
Clarify whether the operation is a primary or revision replacement, the expected fixation and bearing plan, whether robotic-assisted planning is being used, and whether bone loss, deformity or instability may require specialised components. Read When Is Hip Replacement Needed?.
Medical and Anaesthesia Assessment
Preoperative assessment identifies conditions that may affect anaesthesia, infection, bleeding, wound healing, mobilisation and discharge. Tests are individualised and may include blood counts, kidney and liver function, blood glucose, ECG, chest assessment or other investigations according to age, health and hospital protocol.
Diabetes and blood glucose
Poor glucose control can increase infection and wound-healing risk. The target and any delay should be individualised. Diabetes medicines and insulin require specific fasting-day instructions.
Anaemia and nutrition
Anaemia should be investigated and treated when feasible. Unintentional weight loss, low protein intake and nutritional deficiency should be reported. Crash dieting immediately before surgery can reduce strength and nutrition.
Heart, lung, kidney and other conditions
Breathlessness, chest pain, uncontrolled blood pressure, sleep apnoea, kidney disease, previous blood clots and major neurological conditions must be disclosed. Bring CPAP equipment when instructed and provide relevant physician reports.
Medicines, Supplements and Blood Thinners
Bring an accurate list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, injections, herbal products and supplements. Do not stop aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban or another blood thinner without an agreed plan involving the prescribing clinician, surgeon and anaesthesia team.
Some diabetes medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, immunosuppressants and supplements may need temporary changes. The exact instructions depend on the medicine, indication, kidney function, bleeding risk and fasting plan. Record the instructions in writing.
Infection and Skin Screening
Report fever, cough, urinary symptoms, dental infection, boils, rashes, ulcers, cuts, fungal infection or wounds near the surgical area. Do not shave the operative area at home unless instructed, because skin injury can increase infection risk.
An active infection or significant skin problem may require treatment and postponement. Recent joint injections should also be disclosed because they may influence surgical timing and infection-risk decisions.
Smoking, Alcohol and Weight
Nicotine can impair wound and bone healing and increase complications. Reduction and cessation should be discussed early. Heavy alcohol use can affect anaesthesia, withdrawal risk, nutrition and medicines and must be disclosed honestly.
Body weight can influence risk, but preparation should use realistic individualised optimisation rather than shame or indefinite delay. Strength, nutrition, glucose control and the consequences of prolonged disability must be considered together.
Prehabilitation and Physical Preparation
Appropriate strengthening, range-of-motion work, walking practice and instruction in postoperative exercises can improve familiarity and confidence. The programme should not provoke severe hip pain or create a fall risk. Practise the prescribed walker or cane technique, chair transfers and stairs when relevant.
Set functional goals such as walking independently, returning to work, using stairs or managing personal care. Deep flexion, floor sitting, squatting and manual work require activity-specific counselling rather than generic promises.
Prepare the Home and Caregiver Plan
Remove loose rugs and clutter and improve night lighting.
Arrange a stable chair with an appropriate seat height.
Confirm whether bathroom supports or a raised toilet are advised.
Plan meals, transport, shopping and help with pets or dependants.
Arrange support for the first phase if living alone.
Documents and Information to Bring
Current and previous X-rays, MRI or CT images and reports.
Prior hip operation notes and implant details, especially for revision surgery.
Medical reports, allergy information and medicine list.
Details of previous anaesthesia problems, blood clots or infections.
Fasting, Admission and Surgery-Day Instructions
Follow the hospital’s exact fasting and medicine instructions. Do not assume that “nothing after midnight” applies universally. Confirm the admission time, permitted clear fluids, morning medicines, transport and whom to contact if illness develops.
Bring comfortable clothing and required walking or breathing equipment. The operative side, consent and implant plan are reconfirmed through surgical safety checks.
Create a Written First-Week Plan
Record medicine times, wound instructions, walking frequency, exercises, constipation and nausea prevention, emergency contacts and the first follow-up. Assign who will collect medicines, prepare meals and accompany the patient. Keep the discharge summary and current medicine list together.
Review First Week and Wound Care After Hip Replacement, Blood Clots After Hip Replacement and Hip Replacement Recovery Timeline.
Reasons Elective Surgery May Be Postponed
Active infection, fever or significant skin wound.
Uncontrolled medical condition requiring further assessment.
Severe untreated anaemia or important new test abnormality.
Incorrect anticoagulant or medicine preparation.
Recent illness affecting anaesthesia safety.
No safe discharge or caregiver arrangement when one is required.
Postponement is a safety decision, not a punishment. The reason and corrective plan should be explained clearly.
Questions Patients Commonly Ask
Should I stop blood thinners before surgery?
Only according to an individual written plan. Stopping too early and continuing inappropriately can both be dangerous.
Do I need to lose weight first?
Weight may affect risk, but there is no single rule for every patient. Discuss realistic optimisation alongside pain, disability, nutrition and medical fitness.
Do I need dental clearance?
Routine requirements vary. Active dental infection should be treated and reported, but unnecessary dental procedures should not be arranged without guidance from the surgical team.
What if I become unwell before surgery?
Inform the surgical team promptly about fever, cough, urinary symptoms, diarrhoea, skin problems, dental infection or another new illness.
Clinical References
NICE NG157: Joint replacement—primary hip, knee and shoulder
ACR/AAHKS Guideline: Optimal Timing of Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
AAOS OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement
About Dr. Mayur Rabhadiya
Dr. Mayur Rabhadiya is an Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon in Mumbai. His hip practice includes diagnosis of hip arthritis and avascular necrosis, primary and revision hip replacement planning and robotic-assisted hip replacement in selected cases. Qualifications: MBBS, D’Ortho, DNB (Orthopedics), MNAMS (Orthopedics), FIJR (Robotic & Navigation). Read his professional profile.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Mayur Rabhadiya. Last medically reviewed: 17 July 2026.
Book a Hip Consultation
Consultations are available in Ghatkopar East and Ghatkopar West, Mumbai. Call or WhatsApp +91 84249 03913 or +91 96113 30063, or use the orthopedic appointment page.
Medical Disclaimer
This guide provides general patient education and does not replace individual examination, anaesthesia assessment or personalised preoperative instructions. Follow the treating team’s specific medicine, fasting, testing and admission advice.