Preparing Your Home For Recovery From Hip Replacement Surgery
The arthritis in your hip has become so severe that you can no longer walk without pain. Your doctor has you scheduled for a total hip replacement to get rid of that pain. As you prepare yourself to go in for the surgery, make sure your home is prepared so you can have the easiest recovery. Here are some tips to get your home ready for your arrival so your recovery will be easier.
Remove Obstacles That Make It Hard to Navigate Through the House
Your home may not be very friendly to someone using crutches or a walker. You will spend several weeks relying on these devices as you slowly regain your hip movement and strength. Make the following changes in your house to make it a safer place in which to recover.
- Move the furniture around so you have a clear, wide path through all of the rooms.
- Prop any doors open so you won't have to deal with opening doors initially.
- Pick up any rugs that could slip underneath you and cause a fall.
- Move any cords out of the way that could catch on your crutches, walker or your feet.
- Move small obstacles that could trip you, such as trash cans and magazine racks.
Reduce the Need to Use Stairs for a Few Weeks
Safely walking up and down stairs takes practice, mobility and strength. Avoid the need to use the stairs with a few changes, such as:
- If your bedroom is up or downstairs, set up a sleeping area on the ground floor for a few weeks.
- Have someone help with the laundry if it is downstairs.
- If you must use stairs to get into or out of your house or garage, make sure you have a sturdy hand rail on which to rely.
Put Items You Use Every Day Within Reach
So you won't have to reach up or stoop down to retrieve items you use on a daily basis, move those items within easy reach.
- Move canned goods out of the kitchen cabinets and place on the countertop.
- Pull out frequently used dishware and cookware and also place them on the kitchen counter.
- Place bath and bed linens within easy reach.
Make Sure Furniture is Safe to Use
Your doctor will give you guidelines as to how much you can bend your hip while recovering. If you force your hip joint into an extreme angle, you could damage some of the soft tissue that is still healing and you have the risk of dislocating the new hip joint. Make changes in the furniture to prevent any injury.
- Don't use soft sofas or chairs that cause you to sink down into them. You'll have to bend forward to get up out of them and place your hip in an extreme angle. Sit on firm surfaces that give little when you sit down.
- Use chairs that have arms on which you can push to help get out of the chair.
Contact a professional, like one from Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon, for more information.
Share