Preparing for Hip Surgery: Your Complete Pre-Surgery Checklist

Get ready for hip replacement or hip arthroscopy with this step-by-step preparation guide. Pre-surgical exercises, home modifications, what to pack, and how to set up for the smoothest recovery.

4-6 Weeks Before Surgery: Medical Clearance

Your surgeon will order pre-operative testing 2-4 weeks before surgery:

• Blood work (CBC, metabolic panel, coagulation studies)
• EKG (if over 50 or with heart history)
• Chest X-ray (if indicated)
• Medical clearance from your primary care doctor
• CT scan (if robotic-assisted surgery is planned)
• Review of all current medications — some must be stopped before surgery

• Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto) — typically stopped 3-7 days before surgery
• Aspirin — surgeon will advise whether to continue or stop
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen) — usually stopped 7 days before surgery
• Supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, turmeric) — stop 2 weeks before surgery (blood thinning effect)

Pre-hab: Strengthening Before Surgery

Patients who exercise before surgery recover faster. Work with a physical therapist or on your own for 4-6 weeks before surgery:

• Quad sets — tighten and hold thigh muscles (3 sets of 10, daily)
• Straight leg raises — strengthen hip flexors (3 sets of 10, daily)
• Ankle pumps — improve circulation (practice for post-surgery)
• Walking — maintain cardiovascular fitness with daily walks
• Upper body strengthening — you will need arm strength for a walker or crutches
• Core exercises — bridges, planks (modified if hip pain limits you)

Pre-hab has been shown to reduce hospital stays and speed return to independent walking.

Home Preparation

Set up your home before surgery — you will not want to do this after:

• Raised toilet seat (or toilet safety frame)
• Grab bars in bathroom (near toilet and shower)
• Shower bench or chair
• Reacher/grabber tool (for items on the floor or high shelves)
• Long-handled shoehorn and sock aid
• Remove throw rugs, loose cables, and trip hazards
• Move essential items to waist-height (no bending or reaching overhead)

• Prepare and freeze 1-2 weeks of meals
• Stock easy-to-prepare foods (sandwiches, soups, snacks)
• Fill prescriptions in advance (pain meds, blood thinners, stool softeners)
• Arrange a ride home from surgery and someone to stay with you for 24-48 hours
• Set up a recovery station: recliner or bed with side table, phone charger, water, medications, ice packs

What to Pack for Surgery Day

• Photo ID and insurance cards
• Loose, comfortable clothing (elastic waistband pants, slip-on shoes)
• Your walker or crutches (if provided in advance)
• Current medication list
• Phone and charger
• Advance directive / healthcare proxy (if you have one)
• Eyeglasses (leave contacts at home)

• Jewelry, watches, or valuables
• Large amounts of cash
• Contact lenses (wear glasses instead)

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight (or as instructed)
• Shower with antiseptic soap (Hibiclens) if provided by your surgeon
• Get a good night's sleep — tomorrow is the first day of your new hip

Day of Surgery: What Happens

• Arrive at the hospital or surgery center 1-2 hours before scheduled time
• Pre-op area: change into gown, IV placed, meet anesthesia team and surgeon
• Anesthesia: general anesthesia or spinal block (your anesthesiologist will discuss options)
• Surgery: 1-2 hours for the procedure
• Recovery room: 1-2 hours of monitoring as anesthesia wears off
• Physical therapy: standing and walking with a walker, usually within 2-4 hours
• Discharge: same day (outpatient) or next morning depending on your surgeon and health status

Most patients describe waking up with significantly less hip pain than they had before surgery — the arthritic joint is gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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