Finding out you may require a total hip replacement can be a big adjustment. Hip care provided through an Integrated Care Collaborative (ICC) at North York General Hospital ensures your health care team at the hospital is working seamlessly together with you, your family physician, and community partners. Throughout your care, we will listen and answer your questions, and collaborate with you on your care plan.
There are many different types of arthritis. The most common need for a hip replacement is due to osteoarthritis. Sometimes osteoarthritis can be very severe; it can cause severe pain, limit mobility, and impede one's quality of life. Your family physician may refer you to the Total Joint Assessment Centre (TJAC). Based on your assessments, you may be recommended for a total hip replacement surgery.
North York General Hospital's health care team provides tips to prepare you for your first visit to the Total Joint Assessment Centre (TJAC).
You should arrange for a family member or friend to be your coach. This person should come with you to all of your appointments if possible. A coach is not only available for support, they are also a second set of ears to help understand what to expect each step along the way. Deciding to have surgery done can be a difficult decision for some patients. However having a total hip replacement will improve your quality of life, independence, and overall health. A clinician at the Total Joint Assessment Centre or surgeon will be able to further describe the risks and complications should you have any questions.
Not every patient is ready for surgery, whether it is based on your assessments at TJAC, or if you are undecided to go ahead with the procedure. There are also activities patients can do to help manage pain while waiting for surgery. Find out more.
Learn more about the Total Joint Assessment Centre.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator at 416-756-6000 ext. 4490 or email Hipknee.Navigator@nygh.on.ca. Learn more about the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator.
Once you decide to go ahead with a total hip replacement, it is important to start planning for your surgery, hospital stay, and discharge home. Preparation is just as important as the recovery process because this will ensure the best outcome for you.
As you and your family are part of the care team, we have a list of top actions that we ask you take to ensure a successful recovery after surgery:
- Please watch the pre-op video Total Hip Replacement Surgery at NYGH.
- Please read the patient guide book before your pre-operative assessment appointment. If you are interested in going to a respite care facility (see page 11 of your patient guide book) please make these arrangements before your surgery. These facilities also require a chest X-ray and forms that must be completed by your family physician.
- It is important you participate in physiotherapy while you are in hospital and after you leave the hospital. Physiotherapy is vital to your recovery. Physiotherapy will help you improve your range of motion and strength. It will also teach you safe and effective movement patterns to assist in regaining your function. The health care team and the patient navigator will partner with you to arrange physiotherapy plans before your surgery date.
- The patient navigator will contact you after your pre-operative appointment to arrange outpatient physiotherapy, provide information about transportation for outpatient physiotherapy and information about the necessary equipment.
- Plan for someone to drive you to and from the hospital.
- Arrange to obtain equipment from a medical supply store
- Set up your equipment at home and practise using the equipment.
- Move your furniture so that you have a clear path for walking, especially if you might be using crutches, a walker, or cane.
- Set up a high chair with a firm cushion and arm rests to sit on after surgery.
- Put frequently used items at your waist to shoulder height to minimize bending down.
- Remove loose rugs and other items that you could trip on
- Make sure there is good lighting so you can see the floor clearly.
- Make sure staircase handrails are securely fastened to the wall.
- Arrange for a support person or coach to stay with you or be available for the first three days after you go home.
- If you think you will need help with activities of daily living after surgery (e.g. bathing, toileting, getting dressed), contact private home care agencies. Look under “Home Support” in your local phone book or the Community Resources on this website.
- Arrange for grocery delivery and stock up on healthy frozen meals.
- Arrange for someone to care for your pets.
- Approximately a month or less before your surgery date, you will have an appointment at the Pre-operative Assessment Clinic at North York General Hospital. Here you will be seen by a nurse to review important forms and have your blood tested. You will also be seen by an anesthesiologist and possibly a medical doctor.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator at 416-756-6000 ext. 4490 or email Hipknee.Navigator@nygh.on.ca. Learn more about the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator.
At North York General Hospital, your health care team eases any concerns you may have before and after your surgery.
What is total hip replacement surgery?
The procedure itself lasts about three hours. Following the surgery you will be taken to the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (recovery room) where you will be monitored by a nurse. After a few hours, you will be ready to be moved to your room on the inpatient unit. Good pain control is important for a successful recovery. You will be asked to rate your pain using a pain scale. A pain scale helps us make decisions on how to relieve your pain. You will be asked by staff the level of your pain on a scale from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain). We encourage you to keep your pain level less than 4.
You can expect to go home within one days after your hip surgery.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator at 416-756-6000 ext. 4490 or email Hipknee.Navigator@nygh.on.ca. Learn more about the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator.
During your hospital stay you will meet a physiotherapist and occupational therapist. They will be giving you information that will allow you to do your own exercises and recover at home.
Hip precautions
For the first three months after your total hip replacement surgery, it is very important that you follow these precautions. These tips will decrease your chances of dislocating your hip.
- Sit and get up from a chair the same way you were taught when you were in hospital
- Do not sit on low chairs, sofas or toilets
- Use a raised toilet seat
- Use a wedge cushion in your car
- Do not cross your legs when sitting
- Do not bend over when sitting
- When sitting, always make sure that your knees are lower than your hips
- Do not bend down, or bend your hip more than 90 degrees
- Place a pillow between your legs at night in bed before you go to sleep
Pain and swelling
Some pain and swelling at the surgical site is normal. This will improve over the next six weeks. Swelling may increase even after leaving the hospital. Use your pain medication as prescribed. Gradually try to wean yourself off pain medication. You can use ice packs to control pain and inflammation. Raising your leg mid-morning and mid-afternoon, as well as calf pumping exercises can help reduce swelling.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator at 416-756-6000 ext. 4490 or email Hipknee.Navigator@nygh.on.ca. Learn more about the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator.
Your first follow-up visit will be approximately four weeks after surgery, depending on the advice of your surgeon. You will be seen in the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Orthopaedic and Plastics Centre located at North York General Hospital. You may have X-rays done and will be seen by your surgeon. Your surgeon will discuss when to book the next follow-up appointment at the surgeon’s office. If you are having concerns or complications, you may be seen earlier than these scheduled times.
The benefits of hip replacement surgery are great and will be achieved with your effort and time.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator at 416-756-6000 ext. 4490 or email Hipknee.Navigator@nygh.on.ca. Learn more about the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator.
The following strategies can be used for patients who:
- Would like to manage their symptoms of arthritis
- Want to learn more about improving pain
- Are undecided about whether or not to have surgery
- Are waiting to have their surgery
Pain management: warm packs or placing a hot water bottle on your knee for 15 minutes once or twice daily helps to relieve muscle pain. Make sure that you have a thick layer between your skin and the heat source. Check your skin every few minutes to make sure you do not burn yourself. Do not use a pain relief cream or ointment with a hot pack as this could cause a chemical burn. Warm baths and pain medication prescribed by your doctor can also help.
Weight control: the force on your knee is approximately three to four times the weight of your body. Reducing your weight will reduce your pain and slow down the progression of osteoarthritis in your knees.
Diet: we suggest that you maintain a healthy diet while you wait for surgery. Foods high in protein, vitamin C, zinc, iron, and calcium are important for wound healing and for good recovery after surgery.
Smoking: if you smoke, it is important that you stop. If you are unable to stop, try to cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Stopping or decreasing the amount you smoke will improve the condition of your lungs and help you heal.
Fitness: the best activities for osteoarthritis of the knees are swimming, cycling, and walking. Double check with your doctor to make sure you are able to participate in these activities.
Physiotherapy: may help reduce pain and improve your mobility and strength.
Activity: stop or reduce the activities that make your knee sore.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Contact the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator at 416-756-6000 ext. 4490 or email Hipknee.Navigator@nygh.on.ca.
Learn more about the Hip and Knee Patient Navigator.