Must-Have Equipment for a Smooth Hip Surgery Recovery

Sep 22

Planning for hip labrum repair or hip reconstruction surgery? Preparing your home and recovery space is just as important as preparing for the procedure itself. As a physical therapist who specializes in hip surgery recovery (and as someone who’s gone through it personally), I’ve created this list of essential tools, equipment, and setup tips that will make your recovery smoother, safer, and more comfortable.

1. How to Prepare Your Home for Hip Surgery Recovery

Clear walking paths. Make sure hallways and rooms are wide enough for two crutches side-by-side. Remove loose rugs and clutter that could cause trips.
Choose the right chair. Pick a firm, supportive chair where your hips sit above your knees. Avoid the low, soft couches and chairs for now!
Set up a resting station: Keep essentials (water, phone, medications, remote, etc) within arm’s reach of your bed or chair.

2. Navigating Stairs and Sleeping Arrangements

Many patients wonder if they’ll need to stay on the main floor. In most cases, you can safely use stairs with crutches after proper instruction. Dr. Andrew Wolff, MD, shares excellent crutch-training videos and stair navigation tutorials on his hip surgery recovery page.

You will likely be able to sleep in your own bed right away. Just plan your set up:

Pick the side that’s easiest to get in and out of.
Practice getting into bed using your non-surgical leg to assist (your physical therapist can review this and other safe techniques with you!).

3. Best Bathroom Equipment for Hip Surgery Recovery

Simple bathroom adjustments can make a big difference in safety and independence:

Raised toilet seat. Keeps your hips above knee level and makes sitting easier while reducing strain on the hips.
Non-slip bath mat. Prevents falls when stepping in and out of the shower.
Grab bar or suction handle: Offers additional stability when stepping into a tub or shower.
Long-handled sponge. Lets you bathe without twisting or reaching.
Bathing wipes. A great short-term option if you live alone or aren’t ready for the shower.

4. Everyday Tools That Make Recovery Easier

Reacher/grabber tool. Allows you to pick up dropped items without bending forward.
Slip-on shoes and/or shoe horn + sock aid combo. Allows you to keep your independence and stay mobile.
Crossbody bag or crutch bag. Carry small items hands-free while using crutches.
Ice machine or ice packs. Cold therapy is a must after hip labrum surgery to control pain and swelling. While your surgeon may be able to recommend a specific ice machine to use post-op, hip-specific ice packs in the freezer are always handy.

5. Bedroom Set-Up for Comfortable Recovery

Sleep is vital for healing, so let’s make sure it’s comfortable!

Pillows for support. Early on, you’ll likely sleep on your back. Pillows at your sides prevent rolling. A (small) wedge pillow behind your back can ease hip flexor discomfort in the early days post-op.
Pillow between the knees. Once you’re cleared to sleep on your side, this keeps your pelvis level and spine neutral.
Firm cushion for chairs. This helps to raise your seat hight if needed, and it also provides support. The soft, comfortable looking chairs can be deceiving.

Final Hip Surgery Recovery Tips

You don’t need every single item, but having a few of these recovery tools makes those first few weeks post-surgery so much smoother. Most can be ordered online (many are HSA/FSA eligible) or found at a local pharmacy. I linked a couple examples from Amazon within this post.

Always talk with your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist about your specific needs. Every recovery is unique, and your health care team can create a plan personalized to you.

If you’d like personalized post-op guidance or one-on-one physical therapy, reach out anytime at morgan@morganpetro.com.