Recovery guide

Preparing for hip replacement surgery

Name: Preparing for Hip Replacement Surgery
Creator: Hip Replacement Explained

A few weeks of preparation make the first days at home safer and easier. Here's a practical checklist.

Last reviewed November 13, 2026

The short answer

Stopping smoking before surgery lowers the risk of infection and wound problems.⁹
Practice with a walker or crutches, and do the exercises your team suggests.⁴⁶
Raise low seats, clear walkways and set up the bathroom before surgery.⁴⁶
Arrange help for at least the first week or two.

Your health

Stop smoking. Tobacco roughly doubles the odds of joint infection. Former smokers have lower risk than current smokers, so quitting helps.⁹
Blood sugar. If you have diabetes, ask what level your team wants to see before surgery.
Medicines. Bring a full list. You may need to stop blood thinners or some arthritis medicines for a time.⁴⁷
Dental and skin. Get any dental problems or skin infections treated before surgery.

Set up a firm chair with arms, and raise low seats or the toilet. See recovery supplies.
Move everyday items to between waist and shoulder height.
Remove loose rugs and cords, and add night lights.
Consider a reacher, sock aid and long-handled shoe horn for dressing.¹⁷

Arrange a ride home and someone to stay with you for the first days.
Plan time off work and when you'll be able to drive. See returning to work.
Bring your questions to the pre-op visit, including whether you'll have hip precautions.

Bedard NA, et al. Tobacco use and risk of wound complications and periprosthetic joint infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of primary total joint arthroplasty procedures. J Arthroplasty. 2019;34(2):385-396.e4. doi:10.1016/j.arth.2018.09.089
Smith TO, et al. Assistive devices, hip precautions, environmental modifications and training to prevent dislocation and improve function after hip arthroplasty. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;7(7):CD010815. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010815.pub2
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo. Total hip replacement. orthoinfo.org/bodypart/hip-thigh/total-hip-replacement
Mayo Clinic. Hip replacement. mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hip-replacement