Managing at Home Following Hip or Knee Surgery

Cleaning

Avoid heavy household tasks for at least 3 months or until your surgeon indicates that you may resume them. Use long handled devices to help reduce the reaching, bending and stooping required to perform household tasks.

Toilet and Tub

Remember to avoid bending from your waist. Use long handled devices such as a long handled toilet scrubber and tub scrubber.

Sweeping

Use Long handled devices such as a long handled dustpan to reduce the amount of bending and stooping required to perform this task. Devices such as Swiffer Sweeper, Swiffer Sweeper Vacuum are also alternates to reduce the amount of bending and stooping required to perform this task.

Also, it is important to remember to avoid bending and twisting at the waist.

Mopping

Use sponges and mops that have the squeezing devices built into the handle, or an alternative device such as the Swiffer Wet Jet, to reduce bending and stooping required for wringing the mop, or carry the bucket of water.

Dusting

Use a long handled duster to reduce the amount of low level and above head reaching required to perform this task. It may also be helpful to sit and take breaks from a seated position, or dust from a chair until your activity/standing tolerance increases.

Groceries

When at the grocery store, try using a reacher to access lighter items. For heavier items, ask for assistance.

To transport the items a backpack can be used.

Another alternative is the use of home delivery services.

TTC

You are advised to not use public transportation for at least 6-8 weeks.

**If you have no choice for transportation, and you have had a hip replacement surgery, remember to bring your cushion with you.

Driving

You are advised NOT to drive for at least 6-8 weeks, or until your follow-up with your surgeon.

**Remember, your insurance maybe void if you choose to drive following a surgical procedure, check with your insurance company for details.

Leisure

**If you have had a hip replacement surgery, consult the “Hip Replacement Guide” provided to you at the hospital, for time lines to resume leisure activities.

Pet care

Keep pet food stored at a higher level.

Use a reacher to reach water and food bowls.

“Use the golfers lift” to place bowls on the floor or other low surfaces (only applicable for single hip replacement surgeries).

Place food bowls on higher surfaces.

Place collars with bells around you pet’s neck, so that you will always hear when they are in the area, to avoid tripping over them.

Phone

Never rush to answer the phone!

If you have a cordless phone, you can try carrying it in your pocket.

Let your answering machine answer the call, and you can call them back.

Other

Ensure use of proper footwear indoors and outdoors (non-slip soles, with proper ankle and heel support)

Always take you cushion with you when visiting others (if you have had a hip replacement surgery)

Sit in firm chair with armrests.

No “lazy boy” or rocking chairs.

If you are having trouble putting on your shoes, devices such as long handled shoehorn, elastic shoelaces, sock-aid, and a reacher can be helpful.

Always sit down when removing your shoes or socks.

**Remember that following surgery your feet will be swollen, therefore shoes with Velcro, or other adjustable straps will be more comfortable and safe.

If you are experiencing difficulties rising from a seated position on your sofa or favorite chair, wooden bocks/furniture risers can be purchased to raise the height of the chair/sofa making it easier to sit and stand. Speak to your therapist about the purchase of these devices.

Bathroom Safety

Review Safety Features

Use a rubber mat inside and outside the tub.

Grab bars in the tub and in the shower can assist you in getting in and out of the tub/shower.

Have someone supervise your showering for safety (particularly initially).

Use a nightlight at night on your pathway from your bedroom, to the bathroom.

Taking your Shower

Use a long handled showerhead to reduce bending.

You may need a bath bench to allow you to sit while you are in the shower or tub.

Keep your toiletries where they can be reached without bending at the waist. You may want to use “soap on a rope” or a bath gel container that you can attach to your seat. You may also bring a reacher into the shower.

Drying off after your Shower

You can use a terry cloth robe, which you don after your shower, to soak the moisture from the shower.

You can also use a towel wrapped around a reacher or a long handled sponge to dry your legs and feet. Ask you therapist to demonstrate.

For drying between your toes, use a towel wrapped shoehorn. Ask your therapist to demonstrate.

Toilet Use

Use a raised toilet seat.

When traveling, use the handicapped bathroom.

If you have had a hip replacement surgery, you could take your raised toilet seat wit you when out visiting.
Bedroom use
Arrange commonly used clothing in the top drawer, and other commonly used items on the nightstand.

If you have had a hip replacement surgery, you may need to make your bed higher, if it is currently very low. Speak to your therapist regarding the purchase of furniture risers/wooden blocks for placing under the feet of your bed for this purpose.

Do not attempt to make your bed or change your sheets, ask someone to do this for you.

Other

If you are experiencing difficulties rising from a seated position on your sofa or favorite chair, wooden bocks/furniture risers can be purchased to raise the height of the chair/sofa making it easier to sit and stand. Speak to your therapist about the purchase of these devices.