Total hip replacement · Patient information package
A new hip, explained clearly — from your first appointment to walking again.
More than 240,000 hip replacements are carried out in the UK every year, and most people who have one are over 65. This guide walks you through every stage in plain language, so you know what will happen and why.
Reading time: about 35 minutes. You do not have to read it all at once — each section stands on its own.
What is in this guide
Seven short sections, in the order you will experience them.
- Section 1Your hip and why it hurtsHow a healthy hip works, what arthritis does to it, and what the new joint replaces.
- Section 2Before your surgeryYour pre-operative assessment, getting fitter, medicines, and preparing your home.
- Section 3Consent, benefits and risksWhat you are agreeing to, the honest benefits, and the risks explained in plain numbers.
- Section 4The day of your operationArriving on the ward, the safety checks, the theatre team, and what the surgeon does.
- Section 5Anaesthetic, blood and pain reliefSpinal or general anaesthetic, nerve blocks, tranexamic acid, transfusion and pain plans.
- Section 6Recovery and going homeStanding up on day one, wound care, exercises, driving, and the first twelve weeks.
- Section 7Questions and where this comes fromQuestions to ask your team, warning signs to act on, and the evidence behind this guide.
9 in 10
hip replacements are still working well 15 years after surgery, according to the National Joint Registry.
Over 50%
average reduction in hip pain reported by patients after their operation.
Day 1
most people stand and take their first steps with a physiotherapist the day of or the day after surgery.
Who this guide is for
It is written for people aged 65 and over who have been offered a total hip replacement, and for the family members, partners and carers helping them prepare. If you care for someone with memory problems or frailty, look for the sections on delirium, falls and home preparation — they are written with you in mind.