If you’ve just had hip replacement surgery, it is important to care for your new hip and follow the instructions given by your doctors. Not being able to do things you used to do as easily can be frustrating, but there are products that can help you until your new hip has healed.
After a hip replacement, it is important not to bend forward past 90 degrees or lift your knees higher than your hips – both can make using the toilet tricky. Adding a raised toilet seat adds a few inches of extra height to your existing toilet making it easier for you to sit down and stand up.
Using aids after a hip replacement surgery are important to help your hip heal properly and quickly. One of the aids recommended after a hip replacement is a raised toilet seat. So, why are raised toilet seats important after a hip replacement?
Using the toilet without a raised toilet seat will require you to bend further to sit down and stand up. This extra movement can increase the risk of your new hip popping out of place and increase your risk of damaging the new hip which may only be fixed with additional surgery.
Using the toilet is a personal matter and after a hip replacement you will struggle with lowered mobility or stability. The extra inches of height a raised toilet seat provides means that you will most likely still be able to use the toilet independently and confidentially without having to get help from someone else.
When buying a raised toilet seat, there are a few things you should consider beforehand.
Toilets have different toilet bowl sizes and shapes so it is important to measure your existing toilet bowl and seat and choose a raised toilet seat that is compatible with your existing one.
Some raised toilet seats don’t come with a lid or some may get in the way of your existing lid closing. There are plenty of raised toilet seats that come with their own lids for hygiene and aesthetic purposes.
As mentioned previously, you need to choose a height that keeps your hips higher than your knees but allows your feet to be still on the ground for stability and safety.
If, after your hip replacement, you know you will be out and about, then opting for a raised toilet seat that can easily be attached and removed can be beneficial. This ensures that if you need to use the toilet while you are out you can safely with your raised toilet seat.
You will need to use a raised toilet seat until your new hip has fully healed. Usually, this will take around three months, however, everyone heals at different rates so it is important to check with your doctor before you stop using it.
Taking the right precautions and following instructions given by your doctor can help speed up your recovery time, but as with any surgery, patience is key.
After a hip replacement surgery, you will need a raised toilet seat. With raised toilet seats coming in many different heights it can be tricky to ensure you pick the right one.
One of the most important things you need to consider when picking a raised toilet seat is that when seated your hips need to be higher than your knees, but not too high that your feet aren’t on the floor.
One way you can find a good height for your toilet seat after a hip replacement is to measure.
If you are unsure, then you can check with your doctor for advice on how much extra height you will need.
Read our blog on the best raised toilet seats.
At Complete Care Shop, we have a wide range of toilet seat raisers to increase safety and confidence while using the toilet after a hip replacement surgery. With a range of prices, we have a raised toilet seat to suit any budget. If you’re looking to find out more, we’ve got a handy guide that explains how to fit a raised toilet seat.
If you need any help in finding the right raised seat for you, then please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
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