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EQUIPTMENT YOU WILL NEED

We require that you obtain a walker. A cane may be helpful too.

*If your surgery is done at Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital, they will provide you
with a walker on the day of surgery*

• A rolling walker (with front wheels only) will be used for stability after
surgery. You should use it as long as you feel you need it. Some patients need
this for only a few days, and others use it for a few weeks.
• A cane can be beneficial once you feel you no longer need the walker.
Typically, this occurs when you no longer walk with a limp.
o If you use a cane, place it in the opposite hand of your replacement
and put it on the ground when your operative leg is on the ground when you are walking.

EATING AND DRINKING GUIDELINES BEFORE SURGERY

7 DAYS BEFORE AND 7 DAYS AFTER SURGERY
We recommend increasing your protein intake to give your body the building blocks necessary to
heal appropriately. One way to do this is to drink protein shakes (such as Ensure® or Boost® High
Protein Nutritional Drinks) daily for one week before and one week after your surgery.

THE MORNING OF SURGERY
Continue medications as instructed at your Primary Care Physician appointment. You may take
them with a sip of water.

8 HOURS BEFORE ARRIVAL TO THE HOSPITAL
DO NOT EAT ANYTHING. You may continue to drink clear liquids such as Gatorade®. Do NOT drink
milk, alcohol, or thicker beverages.

2 HOURS BEFORE ARRIVAL
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING. You must have an empty stomach going into surgery so there
is less chance of anesthesia complications.

SKIN PREPERATION AND SHOWERING BEFORE SURGERY

Do not shave or wax the area of your body where you will have surgery for 1 week prior to your surgical date to limit
potential skin irritation. If you grow hair over where the incision will be, we will use special clippers the morning of
surgery to safely remove it.

There is a risk of infection with any surgery. You play an essential part in preventing infection. We all have bacteria
on our skin. You can lower the number of normal bacteria on your skin for your surgery by using a special soap called
chlorhexidine gluconate or CHG. This soap is also called by the brand name Hibiclens®.

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