THR - Total Hip Replacement

 

Admission

 

 

 

The hospital will have given you clear instructions about fasting before the operation. These instructions are extremely important. If there is any food or liquid in your stomach during the administration of your anaesthetic it could come up into your throat and damage your lungs.

 

The hospital may also have given you instructions about not shaving your legs before the operation. These instructions are also extremely important. Your surgery may be cancelled if you do shave your legs.

 

 

What to take with you to the hospital

Nightclothes - preferably loose fitting to allow room around the surgical site.

Day clothes to go home in - again loose fitting.

Clean underwear - preferably loose

Dressing gown

Slippers

Toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving materials, comb, hairbrush

Mobile phone and charger and a small mains extension lead with at least 2 sockets.

Tablet - find out if the hospital has WiFi

Books, crosswords, Sudoku

Pen - for filling in forms and menus

Notebook to write down any questions you have when the doctor is not available

Earplugs - especially if you are in a multi-berth ward.

A small amount of money to buy things such as newspapers, etc. from the hospital shop

Medicines you normally take, nicotine replacement treatment, eye drops, inhalers, creams

Healthy snacks or fruit to eat between meals

Lip salve [CelsB]

Crocs shoes, or similar (they are comfortable and easy to slip on and off) [lyn1951]

Address book and important phone numbers, including your GP's number

Kindle

iPod & earphones

 

 

Do not leave any valuables or money by your bed unattended

Limit clutter and gifts.

Keeping your bed area free from clutter makes cleaning easier.

Where possible, it is advisable to mark all items of personal property with your name.

 

Hospital beds move up and down at the head and foot, so you should not need any extra or special pillows such as 'V' pillows.

 

 

Admission process

During the admission process the staff will check that you are the person that they are expecting for the operation, that you have not consumed any food or drink for the proscribed amount of time before admission, and that you are willing to have the operation as agreed (you should expect to sign a document to signify your agreement).

 

You will be seen by the surgeon, who will ask questions, and indelibly mark the operation site (I called it the 'this way up' mark) to ensure that the operation is carried out on the correct limb. There are generally three accepted 'approaches' used, Posterior - from the rear of the leg, Anterior - from the front of the leg, and Lateral - in between Posterior and Anterior. The surgeon will choose the approach based on many factors such as lifestyle (sporting, or sedentary), muscle structure, size of the new hip, etc. I have had both posterior and lateral surgeries, and I found no difference in pain level or recovery time.

 

The anaesthetist will see you and confirm any allergies to medication that you may have or know of, and the type of anaesthetic (spinal, epidural or general) and the amount of sedation (none, mild, complete) that will be used.

 

Eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures can all be retained until you are wheeled into the operating theatre. All other jewellery, watch etc. must be removed, wedding rings may usually be worn but covered with medical tape to prevent loss, or damage to you if it should inadvertently catch on something.

 

You may receive a pair of surgical stockings (also known as TED hose, short for thromboembolism-deterrent hose) to wear. To put these on you will either need help, a sock aid, or a 'NeoSlip' TED aid. Put your foot into the NeoSlip, slide the TED stocking over the slippery nylon surface and up your leg, then pull the NeoSlip off your foot through the toe opening in the TED stocking.

NeoSlip TED aid.

 

You will receive a hospital gown which you should put on (opening at the back), along with your dressing gown if you have brought one.

 

You will be taken to the anaesthetic room adjacent to the operating theatre for preparations to be made.

 

Now is a good time, if you want to, to say goodbye to your old hip joint that has supported you through your life, be it long or short.

 

 

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The content on this Website is provided for general information only.

It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. In particular, any information is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other healthcare professional.

If you are not a healthcare professional then you should ALWAYS check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your condition or treatment and before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on this Website.

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Contact: Webmaster (at) thr. org. uk

Page last updated: 28 March 2016 - 14:24