You will arrive at the hospital on the same day as your surgery.

 

Please avoid moisturising or shaving your legs for 2 days before surgery (to keep infection risks low).

 

You will meet your Anaesthetist on the day, prior to surgery and discuss the merits of a Spinal and a General Anaesthetic. Mr Westerman's preference is for most patients to have a spinal anaesthetic, which encourages early movement of your leg on the same day as your surgery and therefore helps keeps your overall risks low . You will be offered additional medication to allow you to drift off to sleep and not hear anything, if you wish. Alternatively you are very welcome to bring some music and headphones, to listen to throughout the operation. 

 

Mr Westerman injects local anaesthetic around your joint replacement during the operation, enabling you to walk the same day as surgery with minimal discomfort. This is called the Enhanced Recovery Programme, designed to keep risks as low as possible and aim for excellent results.

 

Recovery:

Operation Day: We will aim to get you standing and walking a few steps

Day 1: Will involve progressive mobilisation, ideally walking to the toilet and back.

Day 2-3: The physiotherapists will encourage you to be walking on the stairs. 

 

The majority of patients leave hospital after 2-3 nights. Before leaving hospital you will be safely mobile with two crutches and able to go up and down the stairs.

 

Mr Westerman will review you again in the outpatient clinic, at around 6 weeks. If there are any concerns regarding your wound, it is important you let us know. Mr Westerman is very keen to review you before anyone prescribes you antibiotics for a wound problem.

​