Hip replacement surgery may be discussed when damage to the hip joint causes ongoing pain and makes everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs or getting dressed difficult. An orthopaedic consultation looks at your symptoms, examination findings, imaging and the care you have already tried. Together, these help determine whether a hip replacement is an option and what you could reasonably expect from it.

Bring previous hip X-rays, a list of medicines and details of treatments such as physiotherapy or injections. It is helpful to describe the activities you most want to get back to and how hip pain affects you during a typical day. You can ask about surgical risks, the expected hospital stay and what kind of help you may need at home. Recovery also involves rehabilitation, and the timing of walking, driving or returning to work varies with your health and the demands of your daily routine.