Following Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Single Knee Replacement

Following Surgery


Climbing Stairs

The non-operated leg goes first

The operated leg goes second

The cane or crutches go last

Descending Stairs

The cane or crutches go first

The operated leg goes second

The non-operated leg goes last

Bilateral Knee Replacement

Following Surgery

Climbing Stairs

The stronger leg goes first

The weaker leg goes second

The cane or crutches' go last

Descending Stairs

The cane or crutches goes first

The weaker leg goes second

The stronger leg goes last

Following Surgery


Try to keep your kneecaps pointed towards the ceiling. The head of your bed should be no more than half upright at about 45°. When you are exercising or getting out of the bed, your bed should be flat.

When you are lying on your back, keep a folded pillow between your knees.

When you are lying on your un-operated side, place two pillows between your legs.

Do not cross your legs when lying, sitting or standing.

Do not roll your legs inwards towards each other. Your feet should be either pointed up towards the ceiling or pointed outwards.

Bed transfer

Following Surgery


1. Sit down on the edge of the bed in the same manner as you would a chair.

2. Enter the bed leading with the non-operated side if tolerated.

3. Start two-thirds of the way down the bed and slide your buttocks so that your non-operated leg comes onto the bed first and you are lying flat on your back. When moving, try to move your body as a whole, keeping legs apart (see drawing).

4. When getting out of bed, reverse the above technique. Remember: Do not roll onto your side. Keep your body aligned (straight). Support your body with your elbows.

5. The following hip precautions must be followed during any bed transfer: Avoid any excessive bending of the hip. Avoid any rotation of the hip. Avoid crossing the legs.

Chair Positioning

Following Surgery

Your physical therapist will instruct you as to when you can start sitting in a chair.

The Height of your knee must be lower than your hips!

If you sit on a stool, make sure it does not raise your knee above your hip level.

When sitting: The height of your knee must be lower than the height of your hip.

Do not lean forward past a 90° angle at your waist!

When rising from a chair DO NOT pull up on your walker, crutches or cane.

DO USE an armchair so you can use the arms to push up from the chair.

Using your Walker

Following Surgery


DO NOT take a step unless your walker is flat on the ground. This drawing shows the WRONG WAY of using a walker.


When walking with a walker, crutches or cane, DO NOT TURN BY PIVOTING ON YOUR OPERATED LEG. These drawings show the WRONG WAY of turning.

Sitting

Following Surgery


Sitting may be easier if you sit on a chair that is not too low, allowing your hips to be higher than your knees.

It may also be more comfortable to elevate your operated leg. This should also be done to prevent or decrease swelling.

There are no restrictions on bending forward at the hip.

Do not bend forward at the waist.

Do not bring the operated leg past the midline of your body.

Do not lift your knee higher than hip height on the operated side.

Do not cross your legs at the knees or ankles.

Getting in and out of the Bath

Following Surgery


Using the walker, walk to the side of the tub. Stop next to the transfer bench and turn so that you are facing away from the tub.

Reach back with one hand for the back of the bench. One hand should remain on the walker.

Sit down on the bench; lift your legs over the side of the tub and turn to sit facing the taps.

To transfer out of the tub, turn on the bench while lifting legs over the side of the tub. Pushing off from the chair, stand up outside the tub.

Showering

Following Surgery


1. Walk to the lip of the shower, and turn so that you are facing away from the shower stall.

2. Reach back with one hand for the back of the chair, leaving your other hand on the walker.

3. Sit down on the chair (see drawing).

4. Lift legs over lip of the shower stall and turn to sit facing the taps.

Toilet Transfer

Following Surgery


You will need to use a raised toilet seat or a 3-1 bedside commode over your toilet.

1. Back up to the toilet until you feel the back of your knees touching it. Reach back for the arm rests and slowly lower yourself onto the toilet, keeping your operated leg out in front.

2. Bend your knee and hip on the non-operated side as you lower yourself onto the seat.

3. Reverse the procedure for getting up; pushing up from the arm rests. Gain your balance in standing before reaching for the walker.

Dressing - Slacks & Underwear

Following Surgery


1. Sit on the side of the bed or in an armchair. When dressing your legs use a dressing stick to hook your pants. Always dress the operated leg first.

2. Put on underwear and slacks first. Using the dressing stick, catch the waist of the underwear or slacks with the hook. Lower the stick to the floor and slip the leg of the slacks over your operated leg first. Then do the same for your non-operated leg.

3. Pull the slacks up over your knees. Stand, with the walker in front of you, and pull the slacks up.

When undressing, take the slacks and underwear off your non-operated leg first, reversing step #3.

Dressing: Socks, Stockings & Shoes

Following Surgery


Slide the sock or stocking onto the stocking aid. Make sure the heel is at the back of the plastic and the toe is tight against the end. The top of the sock should not come over the top of the plastic piece. Secure the sock in place with garter or notches in the plastic piece.

Holding onto the cords, drop the stocking aid out in front of the operated foot. Slip your foot into the sock and pull it on (see drawing). Release the garters, or remove the sock from the notches with the dressing stick. You may put the sock on your non-operated foot in your usual manner.

To take socks or stocking off, use the hook on the dressing stick to hook the back of the heel and push the sock off your foot.

Shoes

If needed use a dressing stick to put on your shoes.

Wear slip-on shoes or use elastic shoelaces so you won't have to bend over to put the shoes on and tie the laces.

Using the dressing stick or a long-handed shoehorn to put on or take off your shoes.

Getting in and out of the Car

Following Surgery


Back up to the car with the walker.

Enter the side that allows your operated leg to be supported by the car seat. For example, if your left leg is the operated leg, enter the car on the driver's side.

Lower yourself slowly on to the seat.

Back onto the seat in a semi-reclining position. Rotate yourself so that you are facing the front and attach your seat belt.

Reaching for Objects

Following Surgery

1. Use a reacher to reach objects on the floor. Do not bend down to pick up objects.

2. A walker basket is available. It fits on your walker and can be used to carry items.

3. Remove scatter rugs from the floor to avoid tripping over them.