About Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement is often considered when the pain in the hip becomes so severe that it begins to interfere with your sleep and your ability to carry out your activities of daily living; such as walking, working or sports.
By having surgery the hope is that it will:
- End or reduce your pain,
- Improve your hip movement and overall function, and
- Improve your quality of life.
Hip replacement involves removing the damaged bone in the hip and selecting a new joint according to your individual size. The head and neck of the femur are cut away, and the inside of the femur is reshaped. A metal head and stem are inserted inside the reshaped femur to replace the old hip. A metal shell with a plastic liner is placed into the acetabulum to complete the new hip joint.
Total Hip Replacement Surgery Booklet
Total Hip Replacement Anterior Approach Surgery Booklet
What to Expect
You will receive a copy of the book, Total Hip Replacement Surgery. This book provides detailed information to help you prepare for your surgery.
Hip and Knee Surgery Survey
Along your total joint replacement journey, you will be asked to complete two surveys. The hospital is required by the Ministry of Health to collect this information from their patients undergoing total joint replacement surgeries. The surveys should take between 5-10 minutes to complete.
How To Prepare
Along with reading the joint replacement education booklet, please also watch the pre-operative education video provided on this webpage for the joint replacement surgery you are having. The education booklet and video will go over how to prepare for surgery, what to expect while in hospital, and what to expect on discharge from the hospital.
Make sure to speak to your care team about the SeamlessMD© platform and get enrolled. SeamlessMD© is an interactive step-by-step platform to help you prepare for your procedure and recover faster afterwards. You and/or a caregiver can access the platform/app on any smartphone, tablet, or computer. Receive automated reminders, to-do lists, daily health checks, and access to self-care information before and after surgery.
In addition, please consider where you would like to attend physiotherapy following your joint replacement surgery.
Once you have completed this education, please contact the Rehabilitation Therapy department at (519) 464-4400 ext. 8100 to get enrolled in the SeamlessMD© platform and to indicate where you would like to receive physiotherapy. For those who choose to return to Bluewater Health for physiotherapy in Sarnia or Petrolia, you will be provided an appointment date for therapy prior to or following your surgery.
Some key things to consider in preparation for surgery include:
- See your dentist to ensure that you do not have any dental infections.
- Ask a family member or friend to be your “coach”.
- Exercise three to five times per week and if needed, quit smoking, and practice healthy eating to prepare yourself for your best possible experience.
- Check your house for any tripping hazards, such as area rugs.
- Organize delivery of any equipment you may need to help you get around the first few days.
During the Procedure
- Arrive 2-3 hours before your procedure (the exact time will be outlined by your surgeons offices).
- The standard surgery takes approximately 2 hours
In-Patient and Out-Patient Total Joint Replacement Surgery
- If your surgery is planned as an overnight stay, your discharge day is typically the next day following surgery for most patients. Some higher-risk patients may require a longer stay. Your length of time in the hospital will depend on several factors, including the type of joint replacement you have and your overall health. Generally, most people do best when they can recover in their own home
- Out-patient total joint replacement surgery has also recently been made available at Bluewater Health. If your total joint replacement is an outpatient surgery (you are not staying overnight) you are expected to go home the same day. Your surgeon will discuss this with you and provide you the information you require to discharge safely.
Recovery – What to Expect
- Bluewater Health staff will help get you up and walking the evening of your surgery.
- Physiotherapy and occupational therapy will see you daily while in hospital.
- Most patients continue with physiotherapy after discharge from the hospital 1-2 times per week for approximately 8-12 weeks on average.
- Many patients will return to work and regular activities within 12 weeks.
Physiotherapy Providers
Click here for a list of equipment and physiotherapy providers in Sarnia-Lambton. If you reside outside Sarnia-Lambton, please visit www.thehealthline.ca to search for a provider near you. Click your local health region, or search by city or postal code. Under Health Topics, click Rehabilitative Care, then Physiotherapists.