The medical community is reporting an explosion in the popularity of hip replacement surgeries, and for good reason. A hip replacement can result in a significant reduction in pain for those suffering from severe hip arthritis who don’t respond well to less-invasive treatment options. This treatment can also help to increase your mobility, allowing you to get back to walking normally again.
If you’re having hip replacement surgery (or are considering it), let’s talk about a few things you need to know to prepare for the surgery, what you can expect during recovery, and where you can go in the Raleigh area for an efficient orthopedic evaluation and individualized treatment by a renowned hip surgeon.
Preparations Before Hip Replacement Surgery
In order to ensure that you are a good candidate for a hip replacement, your orthopedic doctor may first order certain tests and will consult with your primary care doctor or other specialists to be sure you are as healthy as possible before surgery.
These tests are necessary to determine if you have any condition that might need special monitoring before proceeding with the hip replacement surgery. You will be asked to share information such as any medical conditions you have, any dietary restrictions, allergies, medications and/or supplements you take, and any prior surgeries.
Steps You Should Take to Make Recovery from Hip Replacement Easier
In order to make your recovery after hip replacement surgery that much smoother, there are a number of things you should consider doing:
- Prepare your home. You will want to place your most-used items (such as remote control and Kleenex) within easy reach of where you will sit most of the day during your recovery. Also, remove tripping hazards such as rugs and cords, and prepare meals to store in the freezer. You might also consider installing a toilet seat lift, a shower chair, and grab-bars for around the bathroom.
- Appoint a helper. Arrange to have someone who can take you home after your hip replacement surgery, and who can stay with you for at least a few weeks afterward.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Alcohol can cause dehydration and increased bleeding. Smoking can prevent bones, tissues, and skin from healing well, and it can make it harder for your body to ward off infection.
- See your dentist well in advance of the hip replacement surgery. Germs in your mouth and bloodstream can infect your new hip joint, so schedule any dental procedures at least six weeks before surgery and then not until three months after your procedure.
Hip Replacement Doctor in Raleigh, Apex, and Cary, North Carolina
Why live with the pain and limited mobility of hip arthritis when it can be treated? Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brett Gilbert is committed to providing compassionate care, and his technical expertise and years of successful experience have earned him a reputation for excellence in hip replacement and knee replacement surgeries.
We offer orthopedic surgical care for a wide variety of hip conditions using state-of-the-art technology and advanced treatment options that include:
- Minimally invasive total hip replacement
- MAKOplastyrobotic-assisted joint replacement
- Revision of total hip replacement
To learn more about these effective treatment options and how we can get you back to leading a more active life, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gilbert by calling our office today at (919) 788-8797 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get back to enjoying life without the pain!
