Patient Journey Hip Replacement Surgery

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Shannon Morris
7 years ago
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2 Hip Replacement Q&A Am I ready for hip replacement? Only your orthopaedic surgeon can decide if hip replacement is the appropriate treatment for you. And only you can decide if you are ready for it. Being ready starts with being educated, so learn more about hip replacement surgery. How old do I need to be before I have hip replacement surgery? Today, advanced techniques and technologies have revolutionized hip replacement surgery, allowing more arthritis patients to consider treatments at an earlier stage (and age) than they had in the past. Hip replacement is generally related to need, not age. Why do people wait so long to have hip replacement surgery? Many people delay joint replacement due to fear, misinformation, or a lack of awareness about their treatment options. Often, many of these same patients wish they had done it sooner. What should I expect when I decide to have hip replacement surgery? Once you and your surgeon have decided hip replacement is right for you, your primary care physician or internist will take you through a preoperative medical evaluation. Scheduling and recovery plans are then discussed with your surgeon and hospital personnel. Find more pre-surgery information here. How long will recovery and rehab take? After surgery, a few days in the hospital are normal. Recovery means different things to different people and there are stages of recovery that patients go through. Typically, full recovery takes 3 to 6 months. Read more about recovery and rehabilitation here. What is the cost of a hip replacement? The cost of a total hip replacement should be discussed with your particular insurance company. Every plan varies in out-of-pocket expense to the patient. You should check with your insurance company regarding these potential costs. If you do not have private insurance or Medicare, you may want to visit the website How can I pay for my hip replacement? Hip replacement surgery is considered medically necessary and is typically covered by both private insurance and Medicare. Your out-of-pocket expenses may be impacted by either your co-pay or deductible, so you should check with your insurance company for complete information. What is the cost of waiting to get a hip replacement? A recent study found that patients who waited an extended amount of time to get surgery lost more quality time, experienced more pain, and suffered more preventable joint deterioration than those who did not wait as long to undergo surgery.

Today, advanced techniques and technologies have revolutionized hip replacement surgery, allowing more arthritis patients to consider treatments at an earlier stage (and age) than they had in the

3 Choosing a Surgeon Help for Making an Informed Decision When choosing an orthopaedic surgeon, it helps to know something about how to compare the training and experience of the different orthopaedic surgeons who are available to you. Below are some suggestions of what type of information you should know and some things the surgeon you choose will need to know about you. What You Should Know Surgeon Training Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors or osteopaths, meaning they:» Attend medical school for 4 years after college to receive an MD degree or a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree» Complete a "residency" in orthopaedics at medical centers where they learn to operate and perfect their surgical skills under the guidance of the professors of orthopaedic surgery» Begin practice after obtaining "surgical privileges" at the hospitals where surgery will be performed» The surgeon s background and training are checked extensively Board Certification The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS) certifies orthopaedic surgeons. To become "board certified" (following completion of a residency program and two years after entering practice) the orthopaedic surgeon must first pass a written test, then complete an extensive oral examination that includes the presentation of the results of the surgical procedures performed to date for a team of orthopaedic surgeons review. To maintain "board certification," the surgeon must take an additional test every 10 years and prove that he or she has attended a minimum number of hours of continuing education. Fellowship Training Many orthopaedic surgeons choose to obtain special training in a specific area of orthopaedic surgery. This requires a "fellowship" that usually lasts 6 months to one year. During the fellowship, the orthopaedic surgeon works with one or several experts in a

What You Should Know Surgeon Training Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors or osteopaths, meaning they:» Attend medical school for 4 years after college to receive an MD degree or a DO (Doctor of

4 specialized field of orthopaedic surgery to become even more experienced in certain areas, such as joint replacement, spinal surgery, hand surgery, children s orthopaedics or sports medicine, to name a few. Following resident or fellowship training, some orthopaedic surgeons limit their practice to those areas they are specialized in. What Your Surgeon Needs to Know Personal Preparation Some preparation before your visit to the orthopaedic surgeon can help make your visit go more smoothly. Below are some suggestions of what type of information to bring with you to an appointment.» Medical history, both recent and past, including:» Other medical conditions» Previous surgeries» Previous injuries» Previous tests to assess your symptoms» Allergies» Family history of OA» Medications, including dosage and strength» Nutritional supplements, including vitamins and herbal remedies» Names and addresses of all doctors who are currently treating you» Any previous radiographic studies related to the joint in question Providing this information may help your orthopaedic surgeon more quickly assess your situation leaving more time to discuss your symptoms and activity level. Pre-Surgery Information Evaluation and Preparation Your Hip Evaluation The surgeon will ask you many questions about your hip symptoms, as well as your general health, to determine if hip surgery is safe and appropriate for you. Your hip evaluation will include:» Medical history review A careful examination and review of your medical history, x-rays and other tests will help the surgeon understand your pain and physical limitations and the progression of your hip problem.» Physical exam

What Your Surgeon Needs to Know Personal Preparation Some preparation before your visit to the orthopaedic surgeon can help make your visit go more smoothly.

5 A physical exam will measure the range of motion of your hips and knees and evaluate your muscle strength. The surgeon will observe how you walk, sit, bend and move. X- rays will be taken of your hip joint.» X-ray review Bring any previous hip x-rays with you to help your surgeon plan the surgery and evaluate the fit of your new hip prosthesis. Be prepared for new x-rays to be taken as many surgeons now use digital x-rays and computer planning programs for surgical planning. Before Surgery You will likely be asked to see your family physician or an internal medicine doctor for a thorough medical evaluation. To prepare yourself for surgery you may need to:» Lose weight (if you re overweight)» Quit smoking (if you smoke)» Compile and bring a list of all medications and dosages» Inform your surgeon if you are taking aspirin or certain arthritis medications» You may need to stop taking these before surgery. If you are taking aspirin under the direction of a physician for vascular or cardiac reasons, your doctor may advise you to continue taking it as directed» Discuss donating your own blood ahead of time for a possible transfusion during surgery Preparing Your Home Making Your Home Accessible After Surgery There are several things to consider when preparing your home for your return from the hospital. Home Entrance» Choose the entrance with the shortest route with the fewest steps to the main living area» If you have steps into your house, consider installing a firm handrail on either or both sides» Ensure that lighting is adequate» Clear a path from the passenger side of your vehicle to the entrance you ve chosen Bathroom Needs» If you have a toilet seat with a low height, use a raised commode seat for comfort or to

Be prepared for new x-rays to be taken as many surgeons now use digital x-rays and computer planning programs for surgical planning.

6 keep your hip from bending too far when sitting if instructed to avoid this bending by your surgical team» Handrails or grab bars can make getting on and off the commode easier» Your physical or occupational therapist can help determine the best location of these in a preoperative home safety visit» Having a bedside commode may be a helpful choice» Grab bars can help with accessing your bathtub or shower» A tub or shower bench can offer additional safety and comfort Shelves and Cupboards You may have bending limitations placed on you after your surgery. If you do, arrange your shelves and cupboards with frequently used items at waist to shoulder height. For lighter items that are on lower shelves, be sure to have help or special tools handy to keep you from bending over at the hips. Furniture Height A good rule of thumb is to have a seat height that is at least 20 inches above the floor. If you have bending limitations placed on you, then you need to be careful sitting in your furniture at home. If you sit down and your knees are above your hips, the seat is too low. If that s the case, consider using a platform under the seat or couch to raise it to the desired height. Using 4 x 4 blocks may be helpful, but ensure that the chair or couch is stable when placed on them. Preparing Floors, Doors, and Hallways» Remove throw rugs» Consider rerouting any electrical cords that might be a hazard» Remove doors that are either too narrow for your walker to fit through or that are heavy and hard to swing open, especially if they separate a frequently used walkway Lighting Finally, be sure you have good lighting. Overhead and night lighting will be helpful, especially if you need to be up and about at night or at other times of low light.

bathtub or shower» A tub or shower bench can offer additional safety and comfort Shelves and Cupboards You may have bending limitations placed on you after your surgery.

Before Surgery You will likely be asked to see your family physician or an internal medicine doctor for a thorough medical evaluation.

Before Surgery You will likely be asked to see your family physician or an internal medicine doctor for a thorough medical evaluation. Anterior Hip Replacement - Before and After Surgery Your Hip Evaluation An orthopaedic surgeon specializes in problems affecting bones and joints. The surgeon will ask you many questions about your hip