If I decide to have joint replacement, what will I need to do before the surgery?
If I decide to have joint replacement, what will I need to do before the surgery?
You’ll need routine blood tests, urinalysis, a physical examination, and, if you’re over 50 or your doctor thinks they’re advisable, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-Ray as well. Your own doctor or the hospital where you’ll have the surgery may perform these preoperative tests and evaluations. You may also be asked to donate blood pre-operatively or to have a designated donor — usually a family member or relative — do this. Your doctor or orthopaedic surgeon will specify exactly which tests and evaluations you will need and when you should have them. He or she may also recommend that you take an iron supplement before your surgery, and you may be asked to stop taking certain medications — for example, aspirin and other medications that thin the blood. Your doctor or orthopaedic surgeon will also specify how these and any other medication concerns apply to you. Finally, do not eat or drink after midnight on the day your surgery takes place.