Five questions to ask your surgeon before hip replacement surgery

When you are getting ready to have hip replacement surgery, it is important that you feel confident and comfortable with the procedure, the aftercare, and the recovery period. We’ve compiled this list of five questions to ask your hip surgeon to make sure you feel prepared for the surgery.

1) What type of hip replacement is best for me?

There are various different types of hip replacement. Find out which your surgeon is recommending for you and what material the replacement joint will be made from. Your hip surgeon should explain the different options available, why they are recommending a certain route for you, and what your expected outcome will be. They should also run through the procedure itself so that you know what to expect.

2) What are the chances of complications?

No surgery is completely risk-free, so understanding the potential complications is an important part of making an informed decision about whether to go ahead with your hip surgery. Ask your surgeon to go through the possible risks with you, as well as the consequences of deciding not to go ahead with the surgery. Then you can make your choice with confidence. You should also discuss with them how to recognise signs that things aren’t right during recovery so that you can catch any issues early.

3) What are the options for pain management after surgery?

You can expect some pain after hip surgery, and it is difficult to make decisions about pain management after the operation has taken place. Speak to your hip surgeon beforehand about the different pain management options available, both while you are in the hospital and once you return home. This is a good moment to make sure that your surgeon is well-aware of any allergies or addictions that might mean you shouldn’t have certain painkillers.

4) What is the expected recovery time?

Everyone is different and your hip surgeon won’t be able to give you a specific time period for recovery. But they can give you some idea of the likely recuperation period, including how long you should expect to be bedridden, and whether you will need to use any mobility aids while you are recovering.

5) How long will the new hip last?

The hip is a joint that takes a lot of wear and tear, which is why so many of us need hip replacement surgery in the first place. Make sure you ask your surgeon how long you should expect your replacement hip to last. It should be a good long time but having a ballpark figure can help you plan for the future.