If your hip problems are so severe that they hinder your movement, consider a total hip replacement procedure. It involves removing damaged parts of your hip joint and substituting them with foreign components. You can prepare for the replacement like a pro if you do several things.

Make Sure You're a Good Candidate

Since hip replacement surgery is pretty involved, you want to ensure you're a good candidate before going under the knife. In that case, talk with a surgeon who completes hip replacements for a living. 

They can examine your hip joints by assessing your pain levels and taking X-rays of relevant body parts. Shortly after their assessments, they can let you know if you're a good candidate or if you should pursue something else. 

Lose Weight if Necessary

Being overweight might be a roadblock that makes recovery difficult after hip replacement surgery. In fact, it may stop you from getting the surgery altogether because being overweight can lead to health complications when under anesthesia. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can lose weight if it's vital. For instance, you can go on a diet, exercise regularly, and work with a health professional. Once you shed enough weight, you can successfully go through with the procedure and have a smoother recovery to look forward to. 

Verify Surgeon Chooses Quality Replacement Parts 

An essential part of hip replacement surgery is the parts used to replace your damaged hip joint. You'll rely on them to move correctly, so make sure they're high-quality and designed to withstand pressure for a long time. 

Common materials used for hip replacement procedures include metal and ceramic balls lined with plastic. Just have your surgeon cover the options they recommend based on your age, health, and mobility. 

Use Assistive Medical Equipment Post-Surgery

After one of your hip joints gets replaced, you'll go through recovery. To make it easier to manage, consider using specific medical equipment. Fortunately, you have access to many instruments and tools.

For example, you can set up safety bars in the bathroom to help you get in and out of the tub when you take baths. Assistive devices, such as crutches and wheelchairs, can also help you move around after your procedure. 

If you require a hip replacement to regain mobility, take the procedure seriously. Know what it involves and how to recover so that nothing surprises you at any point during your procedure.  

For more info, contact a local company like Adams County Regional Medical Center.