Things to do before hip surgery

Exercise

Exercising, both before and after your surgery can help reduce the recovery time. Increasing upper body strength is also important to help with mobility and using walking aids post operatively.

It is important to meet with your physiotherapist beforehand so you can be advised on which exercises to do.

Breathing exercises ? to prevent chest complications. 

Foot and ankle exercises ? to maintain circulation

Leg exercises ? to maintain muscle strength. 

Physiotherapist

The Physiotherapist will also talk to you about the rehabilitation programme and how to use walking aids such as crutches or sticks. The Do?s and Don?ts will also be explained to you.  Click here to see the Do?s and Don?t?s following hip replacement surgery

Home arrangements

There are some arrangements that will be necessary for when you go home from the hospital. The Occupational therapist will ensure you have all the equipment needed.

You will need some help at home for up to six weeks. You will not be allowed to bend down to your feet and so will need some help washing.

As you will be using walking aids you will need help with your shopping. 

The points below are some useful ones.  

Measure the height of your arm chair and it will need to have arms. The seat will need to be at least 20? high. If you are very tall it may need to be higher. You may be able to do this by borrowing blocks from your occupational therapist.

You will need to have a raised toilet seat. This can be loaned from your occupational therapist

You will need a high stool for use in the kitchen. A perching stool may be loaned from your occupational therapist

The Occupational therapist will advise on bath/shower management

Dressing equipment will be loaned and demonstrated to ensure you can get dressed safely without bending too much.