Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a major surgical procedure. In the right indication, a THR promises to relieve hip pain and stiffness, and greatly improve mobility.

To prepare for THR, we recommend the following things:

• Make sure that there will be somebody to take care of you for at least 4 weeks at home.
• Stop smoking and try to lose weight if possible.
• Take your regular medications regularly and review with your physician regarding stopping blood thinner medications at appropriate times before surgery.
• Learn physiotherapy exercises for hip and legs and also upper limbs as these will be performed after surgery also.
• Some modifications at home like Commode with raised seat and hand railing in the toilet, high chair for sitting and removing obstacles, loose wires, carpets so that you don’t trip.

What to expect:

• You will be treated by a team including doctors, physiotherapists and nurses.
• The operation is usually done under regional/ spinal anaesthesia.
• There may be a requirement of a Urinary catheter and wound drain tube for 1 or 2 days.
• Pain after operation is very effectively managed with medications and anaesthetic techniques.
• You will be made to sit/ stand/ walk with a physiotherapist’s assistance the next day.
• You will be discharged when pain is manageable requiring only oral medications and you are able to independently go to the toilet.
• Walker is advised for 4 weeks and after that one stick may be used.
• Physiotherapy exercises are done for at least 3 months.