Must-Have Items for a Smooth Hip Surgery Recovery

Written By Morgan Petro

Planning for hip labrum repair or hip reconstruction? Surgery is a big step, and preparing for recovery at home is just as important. As a physical therapist who regularly works with post-op hip patients (and has gone through hip surgery personally), I’ve put together my top recovery tools and home setup tips. These simple items can make a huge difference in your comfort, safety, and healing during the first few weeks after hip surgery.

1. Prep Your Home Before Surgery

  • 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. Skip the low, soft couches and chairs for now!

2. Navigating Stairs and Sleeping Arrangements

Many patients wonder if they need to move everything to the main floor. In most cases, you’ll do fine using stairs carefully with your crutches (Dr. Andrew Wolff, MD has excellent crutch-training videos on his website). While it’s helpful to be mindful of how often you go up and down, you’ll likely be able to sleep in your own bed from the start!

3. Bathroom Essentials After Hip Surgery

  • Raised toilet seat. Keeps your hips above knee level and makes sitting easier.

  • Non-slip bath mat. Reduces the risk of slips when showering.

  • Grab bar for the shower. Especially helpful if you need to step over a tub to take a 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. Tools and Accessories That Make Life Easier

  • Reacher/grabber tool. Helps you to avoid bending too far forward to pick things up.

  • Slip-on shoes and/or shoe horn + sock aid combo. Makes getting your shoes on and getting up and moving much easier!

  • Crossbody bag or crutch bag. Lets you carry small items while using crutches.

  • Ice machine or ice packs. Cold therapy is a must after hip labrum surgery. 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 Recovery

  • Practice getting in/out of bed. Use your non-surgical leg to help, and pick the side of the bed that’s easiest for you. Your physical therapist can review this technique with you if you are unsure.

  • Pillows for support. Early on, you’ll likely sleep on your back. Pillows at your sides prevent rolling, and 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 Tips

You don’t need every single item, but having a few of these recovery tools makes those first few weeks after hip 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 in the blog directly.

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

Stay tuned for our next blog post on nutrition and hydration post-surgery! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule an appointment via email (morgan@morganpetro.com).

Morgan Petro