Nicotine

Tobacco and nicotine use creates a poor wound healing environment. New healing tissue is impaired by nicotine as well as the blood cells your body uses to fight infection. Please see the position statement from the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons on the left of this section. It is important. We require complete cessation of nicotine of any form 4 weeks preoperatively and 8 weeks postoperatively.

Diet

A healthy diet consists of lean proteins, moderate fats and carbohydrates, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Critical to the success of a healthy diet is the avoidance of high fat, highly processed, and sugar rich foods and drinks. Sodas are the worst. Eating a lean protein and vegetable rich diet before and after your surgery will provide your body the right types of fuel for tissue healing and energy production.

Fitness

Physical fitness does not mean high-impact training or aggressive strengthening or stretching. What we are looking for is things you can do despite your painful hip to keep your body and mind healthy. Don't focus on your hip when exercising before surgery. Stretching a painful arthritic hip can be just that, painful. Sitting around doing nothing with it isn't the answer either.

Water aerobics, Swimming, and stationary cycling are the areas where I see patients have success. Appropriately modified yoga, thai chi, or other balance and meditative training is excellent.

There are many good alternatives. The important part is that you are finding a way to avoid deconditioning, keeping your heart and lungs in good order, and finding a way to achieve the mental benefit of exercise. On average this includes about 45 minutes of sustained activity, thee or more times per week.