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While Walking:
• Use your walker (or crutches) until your surgeon or physical therapist says it’s OK to walk without them, Follow their instructions on how much weight to put on your new hip.
• Take small steps when turning and try not to pivot.
• Wear shoes (not slippers) with nonskid soles.
• Go slowly on wet or uneven surfaces.
Using Stairs:
• Going up: step first with the leg and side that did not have surgery.
• Going down: step first with the leg and side that had surgery.
Lying in Bed:
• Do not sleep on the side of your new hip or on your stomach. If you sleep on the other side, place a pillow between your thighs.
• Use a pillow or splint, if necessary, to keep your hip correctly aligned.
Bathing or Showering:
• It’s OK to stand or to sit in a tub seat or stable plastic chair. Do not sit down in the bottom of a bathtub.
• Place a rubber mat on the tub or shower floor, and keep the bathroom floor clean, obstacle-free and dry.
• Remember, NO bending, squatting or reaching for anything while showering. Wash your body using a long-handled shower sponge. Have someone adjust faucet or spout controls and wash parts of your body that are hard to reach.
• Make sure your toilet seat keeps your knees lower than your hips. (Use an elevated seat if necessary.)
Getting Dressed:
• Sit on a chair or on the edge of a sturdy, stable bed. DO NOT STAND!
• Use a grabber, a device for putting socks on, a long-handled shoehorn and elastic shoe laces (that don’t need tying) to avoid bending and reaching.
• Pull clothing on (or off) the leg that had surgery first, before dealing with the other leg.
Getting into a Car:
• Do not drive until your healthcare provider or physical therapist says it’s OK.
• When entering the car, get in from street level, not from the curb or doorstep. Check beforehand to make sure you can slide easily on the car seat material.
• Sit on a pillow if your car seat is too low (your hips should be higher than your knees).
• If driving a long distance, stop and walk around for a bit every 2 hours.
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