Post-Op Protocols

About Hip Replacement: Walking After Hip Replacement – Skills

Skills

In order to go home after hip replacement,
there are certain skills that have to be mastered:

• Getting in and out of bed
• Getting up from a chair
• Walking with a walker
• Going up and down stairs
• Getting in and out of a car

Getting In & Out of a Bed

Make sure that your bed is at least 18 inches off of the ground. You should be able to sit on the bed without exceeding 70 degrees of flexion in the hip.

Until you are able to lift your leg with your own muscles, use a strap to lift your leg in and out of bed while keeping your knees apart.

Getting Up From a Chair

When getting up from a chair, place your walker in front of you. Scoot forward to the front of the chair, and bring your feet directly below your knees. Push yourself up using the chair rails, not the walker. Avoid flexing your hip more than 70 degrees and maintain a wide stance with your feet.

Going Up & Down Stairs

Go up stairs by placing your walker sideways with one set of wheels on the stair and set on the floor. Use the hand rail with one hand and the walker with the other. Test the stability of the walker, then place one foot on the next step. With support from the walker and the rail, lift yourself to the next step.

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