Managing diet and weight before a hip or knee replacement

Information and advice on managing your diet and weight before a hip or knee replacement.

Weight management

Weight loss is an important part of managing arthritis pain before surgery. Even a 5% reduction in bodyweight can help to reduce arthritis pain and improve function. But, the results seem to be better the more weight that is lost.

Weight loss works by reducing the amount of stress that is placed on the joints whilst moving and standing.

You can lose weight safely through:

  • healthy eating
  • exercise

Diet

An anti-inflammatory diet may also help with arthritis pain while you’re waiting on a hip or knee replacement. This includes eating foods like:

  • fish
  • nuts and seeds
  • fruit and vegetables
  • beans
  • wholegrains

Further information on specific types of food that can help.

Further advice and support

Eatwell Guide: How to eat a healthy balanced diet

​How much of the different food groups you should eat each day

Keeping active

Find out why exercise is good for your health and get ideas for keeping physically active