• Before your operation
• After your operation
• Sitting
• sleeping
• Bathing & washing
• Using the toilet
• Dressing
• In the kitchen
• Gardening
• Going out in the car
• To remind you

Washing: You will need someone to wash and dry your feet for the first 6 wks after your return home. You will also need someone to cut your toe nails. If you don’t know how to arrange this, ask us during your stay in hospital what help can be organised for you.

Using the Toilet
Your toilet: Will probably need to have a raised seat for the first few weeks after your return home from hospital. This will be discussed with you by the Occupational Therapist.

Getting on and off: If your raised toilet seat has arms, you can get on and off it following the same instructions as for sitting in your armchair. If you have a seat with no arms, you will need to use your walking stick or crutches during your recovery. Park one stick on your UN-operated side, and keep the other in your hand supporting your operated side. Then keeping hold of this stick, with your operated leg out in front of you, put your free hand on your un -operated side behind you onto the seat. Slowly let yourself down. To get up, reverse this procedure.

Wiping: Make sure you don’t have to twist to reach the toilet paper.  Avoid over - bending or twisting.  

Dressing
Your clothes will need to be within reach without you having to bend over, so before your op, re-arrange them so the ones you most use are in drawers or on shelves around waist height or higher. Have some low-heeled comfortable slip on shoes ready for your return home. If you only have shoes with laces, we may be able to make it easier for you by issuing elastic laces.

How to get dressed: First, collect the clothes you are going to wear and put them on the bed beside you, before you start dressing. You will have been shown in hospital how to dress your lower half, but here are some reminders:

• sit on the side of the bed (or on your chair) to dress
• put on your knickers or pants using the hooked end of a long shoe horn or walking stick
• dress operated leg first
• you can purchase an aid for putting on socks / stockings / tights if necessary
• put a shoe on, on your Un-operated leg, whilst sitting
• stand close to and facing your dressing table,chest of drawers or a substantial chair to put on the other shoe
• park your walking sticks and use the hand on your operated side to steady yourself on the piece of furniture
• with the shoe horn/stick in your other hand, gently kick your foot into the shoe, positioning it with the shoe horn between your legs. Keep this foot pointing straight.

Getting Undressed: Reverse the procedure for your shoes. Undress your Un-operated leg first, then your operated side last.  

In the Kitchen

Stock up before your op, to reduce the time you’ll need to spend preparing meals. If you have a freezer, have some meals ready in it. Re-arrange the contents of your fridge and cupboards so you can reach the more essential items without bending or overstretching. A substantial wheeled trolley is useful to have handy if you will have to carrying food or other items, especially if you are not allowed to put full weight through your operated side. Sit down for as many jobs as possible after your op. When you are working in your kitchen a high stool 19”-20” is useful to sit on, when preparing vegetables etc. Anything heavy like lifting or cleaning work should be left to someone else! Do ask someone to help with the shopping, laundry and preparing meals. Do not vacuum, make beds, wash floors or lift heavy laundry.

Gardening
When you start gardening again, at least 6 weeks after your operation, try to avoid too much bending, twisting or lifting and avoid digging.
Preferably kneel while gardening, going down on the operated leg first. Do not squat.   

Going out in the Car
Positioning the car: Make sure the car is parked away from the kerb so you can be on the same level as the car before you try to get in. Put the seat back as far as possible and slightly reclined.

Getting in and out: Use the same method as for getting on and off the bed, so go bottom first into the car and lower yourself slowly to the edge of the seat. Then lift yourself further in across the seat, towards the driver’s seat,you may find a firmpillow helpful. Turn to face the right way slowly and carefully, sliding your operated leg into the foot well of the car. A plastic bag on the seat will some times help you manage this more easily. reverse this procedure to get out again.

Driving is not allowed for the first 6 weeks.Travelling as a passenger is also discouraged for 6 weeks. Essential journeys only permitted.

To Remind You
Mobility: Your total hip replacement is designed to relieve pain, restore movement and in most cases also restore leg length and so will improve your mobility.

Walking: Short frequent walks are good exercise. It is helpful to wear shoes with thick cushioned soles.

If you drop something on the floor, don't bend to pick it up. Use a helping hand or the ends of your sticks or a lump of blue tack at the end of a stick.  

When you have recovered
We hope that you make a good recovery, helped by the hints and do’s and don't on these pages, and find that, after 6-12 weeks, you are back to being mobile and able to do most things. Wait 12 weeks before you try activities like ball -room dancing, golf or long walks.

Any other queries you should contact your Occupational Therapist.

Long Term advice
Don't cross your legs at the knees.
Don't gain excess weight or take part in sports that involve running, jumping, pulling or twisting. If possible, avoid lifting heavy objects.