Total Hip Replacement

Preparing for Your Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Total hip replacement surgery (hip arthroplasty) may be an option for you if your hip has been damaged by arthritis, a fracture, or a deformity and non-operative procedures have been unsuccessful. If you have been experiencing hip pain and stiffness, or you have difficulty walking, putting on shoes and socks, or getting in and out of a chair, you may be a candidate for total hip replacement. This is a surgical procedure in which the ball and socket hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant. By replacing your diseased hip joint with an artificial joint, this surgery can relieve your pain, increase motion, and help you get back to enjoying normal, everyday activities.

If you and your doctor decide upon total hip replacement, your surgery will take place in one of Hoag Orthopedic Institute's state-of-the-art operating rooms. The surgeons aligned with Hoag Orthopedic Institute are considered experts in mini-incision hip replacement, also known as minimally invasive surgery. This means that your procedure will only involve a small incision, designed to minimize muscle damage and blood loss. Overall, this is intended to lead to shorter hospital stays and shorter rehabilitation, as well as less visible scarring.

It is highly recommended that you attend Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s joint replacement pre-op orientation class three to four weeks in advance of your surgery date. The orientation is held throughout the month for your convenience and further informs patients on the latest advances in total hip replacement surgery as well as provides additional details on patient education and rehabilitation. A list of class dates will be provided by your surgeons office or check our pre-op classes online. During this important orientation session, you will have the opportunity to meet members of our Hoag Orthopedic Institute team, including the nursing and rehabilitation staff, review your preadmission preparations, hospital stay and plans for your return home.

From the time your surgery is scheduled, a specific liaison nurse will answer your questions and help you navigate through your tests, your surgery, your physical therapy, and your recovery at home. This type of personal care is a part of Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s commitment to a greater standard of service. It is one of the reasons more total hip replacements are performed at Hoag Orthopedic Institute than most other hospitals in California.

What to Expect After Total Hip Replacement Surgery

The speed of your recovery will depend on many factors, such as pre-operation fitness, age, weight, and the discipline your show in following your exercise routines. Hoag Orthopedic Institute’s orthopedic dedicated physical therapists will help you begin your recovery by taking you through specific exercises to strengthen your hip and restore movement. Walking and light activity are important to your recovery and will begin the day of or the day after your surgery.

Arrange for Home Care Post-Operatively

Before going into the hospital, consider the support system you will have when you return home. You will need some assistance for the first few weeks with cooking, bathing, housekeeping, shopping, errands, etc. Do you have a caregiver, spouse, companion, friends or family member who will be able to help? If an adequate support system at home is not available, it may be appropriate to go to a skilled nursing facility. We recommend you check with your insurance and tour facilities ahead of time if there is no support that will be available.