How to Get a Hip Replacement Consultation

A hip replacement consultation is the first step in determining if hip replacement surgery is right for you. During a consultation, you will meet with your potential surgeon, who will assess your need for the surgery. This will give you the very important opportunity to gauge whether or not you like the surgeon and feel comfortable with the proposed procedure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Get a Consultation

1. Compile a list of potential surgeons from your primary care physician. You can also ask your friends and family members who have had a successful hip replacement surgery who they would recommend. When comparing surgeons, make sure to get an accurate assessment of the person's hip problem to compare it with your own.
2. Decide when you want to have your hip replacement surgery. If you are in pain and think you may want to have surgery in the next 6 months to a year, schedule a consultation immediately. In most cases, this type of surgery must be booked far in advance, especially when dealing with a skilled surgeon who is in high demand.
3. Call your potential surgeon's office and make an appointment for your consultation. Re-confirm this appointment the day before you are scheduled to go in.
4. Compile a list of questions you have regarding the surgery, recovery and physical therapy. Bring this with you to your appointment, and be sure to take notes as you speak to the surgeon. If you have questions, ask for clarification.
5. Take a few minutes directly after your meeting to jot down general thoughts and feelings regarding the surgeon and your consultation. This will be handy to refer to later, especially if you have more than one consultation or are planning to meet with other potential surgeons.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider having more than one consultation. It is always a good idea to get multiple opinions on hip replacement surgery to help you determine which type of hip replacement surgery you want to have.
• If your second or third consultation result in a similar diagnosis, choose the doctor with whom you feel most comfortable for your procedure.
• Minimally invasive surgery is a great option for those who would like shorter recovery times and less manipulation while on the operating table. However, this procedure is not an option for every hip replacement surgery candidate.
• Patients over the age of 75 are sometimes refused coverage for hip replacement surgery by insurance companies, so be sure to check with your provider before authorizing a hip replacement surgery.