Table 1.

Pre-operative optimisation before total hip arthroplasty surgery in a fast-track patient pathway

• Information on intended length of stay

• Multidisciplinary pre-operative patient clinic with patient education

• The social back-up of the patient should be optimised before admission for surgery

• Reduction in alcohol consumption and smoking

• Awareness of the special needs in pain treatment in patients with pain ‘catastrophising’, emotional disorders and pre-operative opioid users

• Optimisation of malnutrition and weight reduction in morbidly obese patients

• Treatment of pre-operative anaemia

• Diabetes regulation should be optimised especially in type 1 diabetes

• Awareness of the influence of psychiatric disorders on an optimal patient path and patient involvement