Planning for surgery

Pre-admission

You will be sent a complete pre-admission pack at least one week before your surgery. This covers your medical history, current medications, allergies and an anaesthetic questionnaire. Please complete and return it promptly so the team has time to review.

Anaesthetic

Most hip and knee procedures are performed under spinal anaesthesia, often combined with light sedation. General anaesthesia is used for arthroscopic procedures and where preferred. Your anaesthetist will discuss the best option with you before surgery.

Fasting

• Nothing to eat for 6 hours before surgery.
• Plain water may be sipped up to 2 hours before surgery.
• Black coffee or tea is sometimes allowed — check your specific instructions.

Medications

Most regular medications should be taken as normal — including most blood pressure, diabetes and pain medications. Stronger blood-thinning medicines (such as warfarin, dabigatran or rivaroxaban) typically need to be stopped 5–7 days before surgery, sometimes with bridging Clexane injections.

Please check specific instructions with your anaesthetist or our rooms. Do not stop any prescribed medication without advice.

Optimising your health before surgery

The weeks before surgery are an opportunity to give your body the best possible chance of a smooth recovery:

• Nutrition — a balanced diet with good protein intake supports wound healing.
• Exercise — within the limits of your pain, gentle aerobic and strengthening exercise builds reserve.
• Smoking cessation — stopping at least 4 weeks before surgery measurably reduces complication rates.
• Diabetes control — optimising your blood sugar reduces infection risk; speak with your GP.
• Dental check-up — treat active dental infections before joint replacement surgery.

Hospital stay

Transport home

You cannot drive yourself for at least 2–4 hours after anaesthesia, and longer after most operations. Please arrange a family member, friend or taxi to drive you home.