I found the following statement on an Internet site supporting the practice of a Dr. Huddleston who is Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery - http://www.hipsandknees.com/hip/blood.htm

He claims - "almost all hip replacement patients need to be transfused"

You can email Dr Huddleston at - moreinfo@hipsandknees.com

Quote:
We do everything we can to minimize blood loss during surgery. Your blood pressure is lowered during the operation to cut down on bleeding, and cut blood vessels are zealously cauterized, and we use the smallest incision possible. Even so, almost all hip replacement patients need to be transfused after the operation because of oozing from cut surfaces, much of it occurring after the operation is over.

First time hip replacements require a 2 unit transfusion of blood. Revision hip replacement needs 3 units.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Although most patients require two or more units of blood transfusion after hip replacement, such transfusion is not mandatory. We have operated upon many Jehovah’s Witness patients and have been able to avoid transfusion altogether. The main disadvantage is that it takes longer for you to get back to full strength. It may take three months or more on iron and vitamin supplements to return the blood level to normal. Genetically engineered erythropoeitin (“Epo”) given by injection can “force” the body to restore your own blood more rapidly.