Recovering After A Hip Replacement: What You Need To Know

Prepare The House For Reduced Mobility

Patients will not be able to get around easily after hip replacement surgery. The best way to make life easier is to prepare the house for reduced mobility inside and outside. In the garage, patients should keep items they may need at waist level if at all possible. All stairs should have railings and patients should remember to clearly mark any uneven ground or flooring. Declutter all walking paths to any door they might use. Patients should ask a neighbor or hire someone to take care of yard maintenance. Inside the house, patients should remove clutter in major walking paths, remove rugs, add railings to stairs, create a space on the first floor to sleep and bathe, remove tables in front of sofas and chairs, add cushions to sofas and chairs, move frequently used items to waist-high countertops, apply adhesive strips to the shower floor, and get a raised seat for the toilet. Patients should also be sure to have someone to check on them regularly and help with errands during the recovery period.