Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Prepare a few months before surgery
• Method 2 of 3: Prepare a few weeks before surgery
• Method 3 of 3: Preparation on the day of surgery

Hip replacement is a great option for those with joint problems. This operation will help to improve your life and participate in any vigorous activity. However, before carrying out the operation, it is necessary to prepare for this procedure. If you and your doctor have decided that hip replacement is the best way out of your situation, the next few weeks, even months, you should start preparing for the operation.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Prepare a few months before surgery

1. 1 First you need to start strengthening your body so that you can recover as soon as possible. Although hip pain can significantly affect the amount of exercise and the intensity of the load, you need to get your lower body muscles in good shape.
   • If you've abstained from exercise for a long time, chances are your legs and glutes have become much weaker.
   • Ask your doctor (physical therapist) to prescribe exercises that will help strengthen your back, legs, and gluteus muscles.
   • This way, your body can recover from the surgery.
   • Some people are able to do certain exercises, others will be hurt by these exercises. Exercises are chosen individually, so try to listen to yourself.
2. 2 Do exercises to strengthen your gluteal muscles. This is a very easy exercise that does not require any special equipment.
   • Lying on your back, squeeze your glutes for a few seconds.
   • Raise your hips slightly.
   • Repeat this exercise 10-20 times.
3. 3 Try lifting your legs to strengthen your thigh muscles. You can raise your legs while lying on any hard surface (on a mattress or on the floor).
   • From the same starting position, you can move on to the leg raises.
   • First, bend your knees.
   • Then straighten your legs as much as you can until they are vertical to your body.
   • Hold this pose for a few seconds, and then slowly lower your legs.
4. 4 Rotate with your ankle. You can support your legs with your hands.
   • Rotate left and right a few times.
   • Repeat this exercise with the other leg.
5. 5 Consume more iron to maintain blood balance. Ask your doctor what supplements he would advise you to take. Ask him what you should avoid now.
   • Iron is recommended because the normal amount of this substance in the blood can prevent excessive bleeding during or after surgery.
   • Your doctor may advise you to stop taking certain supplements and medications that may interfere with your recovery after surgery. For example, vitamin E, glucosamine / chondroitin, fish oil, and other natural supplements that thin the blood.
6. 6 Take care of your insurance. You need to be sure that you will not have problems with treatment and post-operative care. Within a month before the operation, contact the insurance company and inform about the upcoming operation.
   • Find out if your insurance company will pay for rehabilitation procedures after surgery.

Method 2 of 3: Prepare a few weeks before surgery

1. 1 Equip your apartment to accommodate limited mobility.
   • Make sure all necessary household items are at hip level.
   • This way, you don't have to strain every time you need to reach something.
   • Position the closet so that underwear, socks, and clothing you wear frequently are at hip level.
   • If you live in a house, then move the bed to the first floor, because the first couple of weeks after the operation, it will be difficult for you to use the stairs.
   • You want a soft and comfortable bed so you can get up and down with peace of mind.
   • You need to get special crutches that you can lean on when you need to sit down or stand up.
2. 2 Organize everything so that it is comfortable for you to move around the house with crutches. After the surgery, it will be difficult to adjust to normal life.
   • At home, everything should be arranged so as not to interfere with movement.
   • There should be no foreign objects on your way.
3. 3 Make sure that it is easy for you to take a bath. If you don't have any support handles in your bath right now, now is the time to install them.
   • Arrange all your bathing accessories (shampoos, soaps, balms) so that they are easy to reach.
4. 4 Think in advance about what you will need after the operation. Buy these things and put everything in its place.
   • Stock up on easy-to-prepare meals such as frozen or canned foods.
   • Buy water, milk, snacks, juices, and so on.
   • Don't forget to buy toilet paper, shampoo, soap, and other products that you use regularly.
5. 5 Ask a friend or family member for help after surgery. You will need someone to help you pay bills, go shopping, and so on.
   • There is another way: pay your bills online.
   • Ask a family member to cook for you periodically.
6. 6 Talk to your doctor and stop taking any blood-thinning medications to prevent excessive blood loss. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking NSAIDs or NSAIDs a few weeks before your surgery.
   • This is because NSAIDs thin the blood and contribute to blood loss during surgery.
   • Some medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (eg, Humira, Enbrel, plaquinil) can compromise the immune system, so it is best to refrain from using them if possible.
   • In addition, coagulants (such as heparin and Plavix) should be avoided because they can contribute to blood loss.
7. 7 Tell family, friends, and colleagues about your surgery. Your love life and career will depend on the outcome of this surgery, so you need some time to recover.
   • Once you are ready to return to work, you will need to plan your work schedule so that the impact on your leg is minimal.
   • Until you can get back to work, it is worth asking colleagues for help.
8. 8 Eat well so that you have the strength to recover. Talk to your doctor, he should prescribe a diet for you so that your recovery is successful.
   • Eat a balanced diet that gives you the energy you need to recover.
   • Doctors may suggest increasing your protein intake to speed up bone and muscle repair.
   • Here are some tips to help you plan your diet:
   • Consume foods high in protein: milk, eggs, fish, peanut butter, nuts, and beans.
   • Eat foods high in calcium to strengthen bones: milk, cheese, yogurt, canned salmon.

Method 3 of 3: Preparation on the day of surgery

1. 1 Ask someone close to accompany you to the hospital. If someone can accompany you on the day of your surgery, they can also help you in the following ways:
   • First, he or she can fill out the paperwork for you and remember the surgeon's advice.
   • This person may also visit you in the hospital, and if the nurse is not around, they may look after you. He will bring you everything you need until you are discharged home.
2. 2 Try to remain calm and confident. Do not dwell on the possible problems and consequences of the operation.
   • Of course, your mobility will be limited for a few weeks after the surgery, but in the end, the surgery will help you get back to normal.
   • Try to focus on thoughts of your bright future.