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Pre-op information

A surgery date will be arranged that suits you and gives you time to make arrangements for the recovery period of around 4-6 weeks. You will also be given a pre-surgery assessment appointment with the nurse specialist for three or more weeks before your surgery date. You can contact the nurse specialist at any time before your appointment to discuss any concerns you may have about your treatment.

Pre-surgery assessment

You need to be assessed before your surgery to ensure you are fit and well before being given anaesthetic and to make sure you feel as prepared as possible for your forthcoming surgery. This will take up to one hour but may take up to one and a half hours if having x-rays taken. You can eat and drink normally beforehand and we will let you know what you need to bring with you.

We will ask you about your medical history and any medications you are taking. We will decide if you need any tests, which will be done several weeks before your operation. This gives us time if necessary to correct any abnormalities rather than having to cancel your surgery.

We will also talk to you about any of your medication that needs to be stopped before surgery, what you can expect after the surgery, what you can do to prepare for surgery, advise you on any equipment you may need, and answer your questions.

You will be given our ‘Guide for Patients' which provides most of the information patients need to know and ask most often about their surgery. It is important that you read this as it includes essential information.

Planning for your recovery

It is essential to plan for your recovery period before you go into hospital. You will need help at home for the first few weeks following surgery as your mobility will be reduced and your full energy levels will not have returned. It can take up to two or three months following the operation before you reach your pre-operative energy levels.

We can advise you if you are considering a home help or a stay in a convalescent or rehabilitation facility.

Wherever you will be spending your initial recovery period, we will advise you at your pre-surgery assessment appointment about checking potential hazards around your home, making sure that everything is at the correct height and what equipment you might need.

Admission to hospital and what to expect

You will usually be admitted to hospital either the same day as the operation or the day before your surgery and will stay for about 4-5 days.

You will be fitted for knee length compression TED stockings and the use of flowtron gaiters (massage devices to keep the blood moving in your legs) will be demonstrated. You may need further tests and X-rays.

You will be assessed by your anaesthetist and Miss Muirhead-Allwood will also visit you to mark the leg that is being operated on and answer any questions you may still have. You will be asked to sign a consent form for the operation if you have not already done so. The physiotherapist will demonstrate the exercises you will need to practice post operatively.

The day of your surgery

You will receive instructions before you go into hospital to tell you when to stop eating and drinking and whether or not to take your routine medications on the day of surgery.

Primary operations usually take about one hour. Revision surgery may take 2 or more hours. After surgery you will be closely observed in the recovery room for around 45 to 60 minutes and will continue to be monitored regularly back in your room.

A foam wedge will be placed between your legs and you will have to lie on your back to prevent any possible dislocation of the hip caused by crossing your legs.

A drain will remove any excess blood from your wound. You will have an intravenous infusion of fluid in your arm and another cannula will provide intravenous access for medications.

While in bed you'll be encouraged to perform your exercises and you'll be helped out of bed for the first time either on the same day as your surgery or early the next day.

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