Preparing for hip replacement: assessment and practical planning

Preparing for hip replacement involves both clinical assessment and the practical work of making recovery manageable. Keep two connected lists: decisions the treatment team must confirm and arrangements you and a companion can organise before admission.

Establish how final the proposed plan is

A preliminary offer based on records does not mean assessment is complete. Ask who confirms the plan after examination and what could change the date or scope of surgery. AAOS guidance on hip replacement includes assessment of general health and a review of medicines before the procedure. Your clinical team determines which investigations are appropriate for you.

Divide the requested checks into completed, outstanding and awaiting clarification. Beside each item, record who orders it and who receives the result. This makes it easier to identify a missing report without arranging unnecessary duplicate tests.

Get clear medicine and health instructions

List active ingredients, doses and usual times for prescribed medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements. If a change is proposed, request written instructions and identify who will coordinate with your regular prescriber. Do not stop medication yourself because an operation is approaching.

Tell the team about recent illness, new skin problems, allergies and difficulties during previous anaesthesia. Ask where to report a change in health before travel. When a clinical decision is required, check that the information reaches a clinician and that you receive a clear response.

Walk through your accommodation practically

Consider the route from the entrance to your bed and bathroom. Note stairs, thresholds, narrow passages and tasks that normally involve reaching or carrying. Share these details with the rehabilitation professional and ask which adjustments fit your proposed recovery plan. Confirm the size and purpose of recommended equipment before purchasing it.

For temporary accommodation, clarify lift access, the route from a vehicle to the room and how meals can be arranged. Photographs may make an accessibility discussion more useful than simply asking whether a property is “suitable after surgery”.

Allocate help to specific tasks

Build a support calendar covering transport, collecting prescribed supplies, shopping, meals and paperwork. Give each task an owner and a backup. Ask the team what assistance is expected at discharge; the presence of a relative does not explain what they need to do. When considering orthopaedic treatment, establish which support arrangements are available at the selected hospital.

Connect discharge with the journey home

Request the criteria for discharge and the process for assessing readiness to travel. A booked flight should not determine a medical decision. Include a review appointment, transfer of the discharge summary and flexibility with accommodation in your treatment arrangements in Turkey. A complete preparation plan explains who will help you follow the instructions once you leave hospital, as well as where the operation takes place.