Orthopaedics

Joint Replacement Surgery

Hip and Knee Replacement surgery

Hip replacement surgery is usually necessary when the joint is worn or damaged, making it difficult to carry out normal daily activities and causing severe pain even when resting.

You may need a replacement if:

  • you are in regular pain which makes it difficult to carry out every day activities, or is having a disabling effect on your ability to move normally,
  • you cannot walk very far or find stairs difficult and require the use of a stick, and
  • your hip is becoming stiff and you cannot carry out tasks such as putting on your shoes or socks easily, or without causing pain.
  • If you are suffering from these symptoms, we would advise you to contact your GP in the first instance, who may refer you to an Orthopaedic Surgeon to discuss possible treatment options.

In hip replacement surgery, the damaged hip joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint (also known as a prosthesis) made of a metal alloy or ceramic. The full surgery usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. 

Hip and Knee Patient Information

Title Extension Size Topic
Assessment before orthopaedic surgery V14 pdf 596.55 KB Orthopaedic
Hunter Canal Block V1 pdf 973.77 KB Orthopaedic
Orthopaedic surgery advice V2 pdf 549.68 KB Orthopaedic
Fast flow orthopaedic information for patients v4 pdf 565.54 KB Orthopaedic
Achieving a healthy weight with orthopaedic conditions v3 pdf 644.20 KB Food, fluid and nutrition

 

Joint Replacement Surgery

If you are referred to the Golden Jubilee National Hospital for a Knee Replacement or Hip Replacement, you will be given an appointment to see one of our Orthopaedic Surgeons.

At this consultation, your surgeon will have a look at your medical history, your X-rays and will examine your knee before discussing the most appropriate course of treatment.

If it is decided that surgery is the best course of action, the surgeon will discuss in detail what is involved in the operation, along with any associated risks and complications, beginning the process of Informed Consent.

At this stage, arrangements will be made for you to attend the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic.

Smoking and obesity guidance

To make sure you are in the best health, have the best possible outcome, and reduce the risk of complications during hip or knee surgery, NHS Golden Jubilee has guidance in place if you need to improve your lifestyle through losing weight or stopping smoking.

If you are overweight (with a BMI > 40), you may have your procedure delayed, or even cancelled, if you are asked to lose weight and fail to do so before surgery.  

If you smoke, you will be asked to stop smoking at least 4 weeks before the day of surgery. If you don’t stop smoking, your surgery may be delayed or cancelled.

For information and guidance on stopping smoking and losing weight, visit the NHS Inform website using the following links, Stop smoking guidanceLosing weight guidance


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