Showering After Hip Replacement | Setup, Equipment and Technique for Tub Shower
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 พ.ย. 2020
- How to setup your shower, what equipment to use and proper technique for completing your showers following a total hip replacement. This video is a comprehensive guide to completing a safe shower in a tub/shower combination immediately following your hip replacement surgery.
Check out other videos about home safety products on my channel EquipMeOT and please consider subscribing to get my most up to date video content!
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If you prefer written tutorials, I have a blog post of this video (with photos) over at my website:
www.equipmeot.com/showering-a...
Product Links:
Tub Transfer Bench
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Long Handled sponge
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Hand Held Shower Head
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Hand Held Shower Head Holder
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Leg Lifter
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I’m looking down the road to hip surgery, I’m single (women 72 year old) and going to a medical rehabilitation for a few days. I qualify for a caregiver, and thinking of getting “meals on wheels” temporarily. Wish me luck 🙏🏻 Great video.
Good luck! I hope you recover nicely!
That is a very good idea! My neighbor, who is alone, went to a very nice rehab hospital when she had both her knees replaced at the same time. It was a wise the decision. I would definitely get all the help you can, including good meals. I will be joining you in 4 weeks - let's hope we are both walking, pain-free, and normally, again, in a couple of months! 👍
good luck i'm 61 alone and about to get the surgery on feb 16... i've had to struggle for 6 months on 2 canes because i had no health insurance..had to wait for obamacare to pay for the $47,000 surgery, so i've suffered quite a lot. struggled daily for 6 months to take care of myself, my home and my animals. i'm ready to be able to walk !
@@Berley_1234 Good wishes to you! I hope you have some friends to help you. I'll be joining you, with my new hip, 10 days later!
@@Mistydazzle Thank you, I took the injection in my hip, it helped a little, but I still will need the replacement, now pushed till July, I wish I would have taken the surgery, I told the Doctor I wasn’t ready, and because of the Cortizone shot, he said I would have to wait, because I’m likely to get an infection if I do it sooner.
Thank you, Lindsay! I just completed my first shower after broken hip surgery. My husband set it up just like you said and it worked beautifully. You are my remote physical therapist!
My insurance denied me physical therapy. And then I found you! Thank you!
I am having a full hip replacement in August 2024 so thanks for this helpful video on taking a shower.
A suggestion: Buy a shower-head with a hose that has a shut-off. (Not necessary if you've a helper) Some shower heads shut "mostly off." then if alone, you don't need to (no-no) bend forward to turn the water on. Excellent video, ty.
Thanks so much for the advice. Through the whole video I was wondering how to turn on and off the water with out doing before you get in otherwise the floor will get soaked before I have time to get in and pull the shower curtain... I'm so confused my orthopedic and nurses were telling me to set everything up for the operating leg to get in the bed and shower first but the videos are showing the opposite and I don't have a physical therapist yet Thanks to my horrible primary doctor it's been been 10 days and I'm in pain and so confused on what to do or not do other than 90 degrees. I have avascular necrosis so both my leg muscles are weak before surgery. Any advice on anything else I'd love to hear, exercises or which leg you used to get in bed 1st?
Your videos should be recommended to patients by all hip and knee doctors. We will be telling our doctors about you and suggesting that they do so.
I plan on recommending them as an OT in Acute Care. Thanks so much for all your hard work!
Thank you so much for sharing❤️❤️
Thanks a lot. I am day 5 post TRHR. I came cross your videos and spent all afternoon watching. 👍🏼
Perfect for my learning in my new job as Administrative Agent in the OT department. I do a little writing of brochures and documents to educate the patients and this helped me a lot in transferring into a bathtub and out after a hip/knee surgery.
My surgeon informed me last week that within 3 to 6 months I'll probably need one, videos are very informative. Thank you
Wow this is so informative! Much appreciated
Thank you!
Thank you. You explained very thoroughly.
Glad it was helpful!
Rey helpful videos. Getting ready for hip replacement Thanks for these videos
You’re welcome!
Thank you for this
Excellent video. Very helpful.congratulations
Thank you!
Not only are you an incredibly valuable resource, articulate and knowledgeable, you are also darned attractive!
simp
YEP !
Oh dear!
Excellent. My gratitude! My second review of your videos. Most helpful!
🍃🚿 🍃
Glad it was helpful!
Great advice I’m getting ready to have a hip surgery thanks
You’re welcome!
Been most helpful thank you for the video. Most informative.
You’re welcome!
Thanks so very much
Great video, very thorough. Thank you. I don't have any problem with letting the shower head Dangle on the floor. But possibly reaching is an issue so I'll look into getting a device to hold it closer .
most helpful!
Awesome information. Also thanks for adding product links. This is one of a series of helpful videos that you offer.
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for replying.
There is no mention of pain I your videos. Does the preop pain of osteoarthritis disappear after THR?
Thx dear
Thanks.
I'm planning a hip replacement and start watch all your videos. They are very helpful. I have a question about this video. How to open water if you can't bend over?
You are amazing
You’re too kind! Thank you ☺️
Could you go over the placement of the shower curtain into the LTB slit a bit more? Thanks for the great videos!
Sure! It’s definitely hard to film because the space is awkward. Maybe that will be my first “TH-cam short” 😉
Great video; thanks.
My tub is in the same direction as your tub; but, my bad side is the left side vs the right side that you illustrated. So, my good leg would be the right one. How does one get in and out of the tube in this case?
I was hoping that she'd answered this also!
Thank you…..
You’re welcome
Great BUT What if your LEFT leg is the surgical one?
This little th-cam.com/users/postUgkxVoi3B4CB6Oygq1-vo4OTL1M_M5JkrXif tub works perfect in our 6 x 6 shower and is easy to get in and out. Also easy to drain.
I am learning a lot from your videos - thank you - I am using a bench in my tub/shower combination already with the water hitting my back so I can wash my hair. Today I had two handicap grab rails installed. One is on the outside of the shower to offer support in entering the tub/shower and the other is just inside at the end wall. It is an angled styled one so I can make the adjustment comfortably sliding my hand up to the higher height after getting into the tub then moving to the bench. Is it truly necessary to remove the glass shower doors putting up the plastic curtain? I always feel claustrophobic with the curtains and they seem to get sucked into the shower thus entangling a person? I would really like you feed back. thank you
It isn’t required if the shower bench fits with the glass doors in place and you aren’t requiring a person outside the shower to assist. The glass doors make it harder to have help, but I agree they are a much cleaner, more visually appealing option!
Appreciate your help, find it realistic and value it. My mom is on week four, looking for tips to dry off feet without a second person in the bathroom
Some options include Terry cloth slippers and a well adhered floor rug and an oversized bath towel.
What if i dont have that double showerhead.😮
I;m also going to have hip surgery. How do you turn the water on? and how do you dry your toes? Thanks
My pre surgical instructions (coming up soon) says I won't be able to bend forward to turn on the water and I have turn it on beforehand and clamp it to the bench or wall. I have to go out and get a suction cup shower head holder for the wall as well as a leg lifter, I will have my bench for practicing all this in a few days. Thanks for the tip about cutting a slit in the curtain to poke it down the bench slot, I wondered how the curtain was going to work to keep water in when going around the outside of the bench and the edge of the tub.
I was wondering about how to turn on the water as well. Wish she would have covered that. Even if you do it before you get in, you would still have to bend to turn it on. Methinks I'll be limited to sink-based sponge baths for the first several weeks.
While I was still using the bathing transfer bench in my first week I simply stood up to turn on the taps (which advice I read somewhere, and I had installed a suction shower head holder lower down I could stick it into.)
After a week it turned out the hardest part of showering for me was the bathing transfer bench itself as I was very steady on my feet. When I took my water proof bandage off on Day 7 I didn't want to be sliding on the bench any more so close to my incision and one of my post-surgical physio exercises showed me I was safe stepping over the tub edge by bending my knee and raising my feet in turn behind me while holding a grab bar for safety. We installed 2 more suction grab bars so there's one on each wall of the shower/tub enclosure and I'm safely showering on my feet, now. I don't know if I'm unusual in this but it's a lot less stressful than the illustrated method which I stuck to at the beginning. I'm on Day 10 after surgery.
Where do we buy the bandage for putting it after we have bath? Because I could not find the exact size in shoppers drug store and medical mart. Could I keep two small size instead of the big one. Thanks 🙏
I recommend sitting on a ROHO cushion or towel because that bench is HARD.
I’m having a hip replacement soon and will largely be taking care of myself. I will have to turn away from the nozzles to turn the water off and on. unfortunately I’ll have to bend over to turn the water off and on. If I were facing the handles i could turn it on after I’m sitting
INVEST IN YOU A HANDHELD SHOWER HEAD, THEY COME WHERE YOU CAN HANG THEM LOW...
Hi Lindsey I am having total right hip replacement in 2 weeks. My concern about my shower (I live in apartment complex) is no hand held shower head. I have weight bearing bars installed however I will need to get into the tub standing. Do you have any instructions on that?
I'm about to do a wet "dry run" today with surgery coming up in 5 days, having difficulty in our very small older building washroom now that the toilet seat raiser is installed, trying to get my leg over and past that and the edge of the toilet tank using the new leg lifter. Our antique tub with its sloped insides limits how far away from the taps I can place the bench.
I believe when I had a broken leg 6 years ago we had a shorter "round" toilet since replaced by an elongated one, no raised toilet seat t hen, and it was actually easier to use the bath transfer bench with a broken leg and a soft cast covered in a plastic sleeve than it's going to be with this surgery. The tighter space/higher toilet is a big challenge, I have to lean way back on the bench which is actually on wood pieces for a few inches extra height outside the tub to clear my leg above the toilet.
Wish me luck, I obviously can't sponge bathe for 3 months.
How did it go? Hope you are doing fantastic, now! I get a new hip in Feb. Just starting to prepare, now that I’ve been to the surgeon.
Overall recovery from my hip replacement mid September has gone very well. I still have a way to go to normal movement in all respects but my surgeon lifted joint precautions November 6 and I've been able to resume activities like driving, do some stationary cycling to get a little cardio exercise again. I still have some issues causing pain in places other than the hip and hope to get them resolved so I can walk longer distances outdoors more comfortably and without my cane.
I only used the bath transfer bench for about a week after my surgery, it was the most difficult thing I was doing because of the crowded space in our bathroom. We installed grab bars on all three walls of the bath enclosure and I showered safely standing up ever since. I do have good leg strength from years of bicycling and always use the rubber bath mat in the tub. I step over the tub edge by flexing each knee in turn to raise my foot back towards my derriere, holding the grab bar for safety. This may not work or be safe for everyone but has been good in my case.
@@e.b.gilligan7423 good to hear your favorable outcome, thank you! Great tips.
Your videos are very helpful.
Can you go to the hair salon for hair wash after THR? I'm worried about those hair wash chairs & sink position?
The salon should be ok as long as the chair isn't too low. They recline back so there shouldn't be a problem with hip angle, more concerned about getting back up comfortably.
You keep talking about the 90° and how you can get serious dislocation but I have no idea what 90° is or what it actually looks like it would be nice to have you show
Hi Lindsy - Do the hip-replacement movement strategies also apply to broken-femur recovery?.(metal rod) Thank you.
They can apply, but it depends on how high up the femur repair goes. I would definitely use this as a conservative guide, but you may not need to be quite as strict. You can always clarify with your orthopedic surgeon. Safe healing!
How do I have my shower chair facing the towards the shower head not the opposite way?
A great tutorial. I'm 5 feet - does the leg lifter work for someone my size? Also L hip - so I'll be using my right leg to get in shower and then lift left? If I do it that way, I'll be facing backwards from the faucet and there's no room w the toilet. Also, maybe a shut off w the hand held shower?
Yes! The leg lifter can be held anywhere along the length of the handle and that would make it work for your height. You can go left leg first if that is how your bathroom best accommodates the modified strategy. Good luck!
Very good but how did you reach the wall to turn the shower taps on
You can stand and reach down a little to turn it on and off when in the shower or once you exit the shower and are standing. It really depends on how your shower is set up.
Carl R. -
I have a walk in shower with full length glass shower doors - if removing the glass shower doors recommended in this situation, and would a regular non-transfer shower bench be ok here?
It would depend on whether it’s truly a walk in shower or if it has a small ledge that needs to be stepped over. If there is a ledge you may still need the transfer bench to bridge that gap.
What about when a pt has to step over? When the chair doesn't overlap?
How would you turn on the taps without bending forward?
For many I have them turn the taps on before entering the shower with the hand held shower head placed in a holder at a position that doesn't aim directly at the seat. That way it's already on and warmed up before entering and would allow it to be turned on without bending forward.
I read somewhere to cover your wound with Glad Press N Seal overtop. Haven't tried it yet.
It works pretty well, won’t seal all water out but will prevent the soaking most surgeons want you to avoid.
Puppy Pads work well to create any size bandage. Since they are made to trap moisture on one side while preventing moisture getting through on the other side, they are great for covering wounds and keeping them dry....just cut to size and use surgical tape to adhere it to the skin. Also, there are products for waterless bathing that are excellent. Wet the spongy material with a little bit of water, no need to rinse...just dry and DONE! You can even wash your hair with it.
In all the videos you recommend staying above a 90° angle. Is this for total hip replacement or also for hip pinning? My mom had a pin put in over the weekend, pathological femur fracture. Didn’t personally speak to the rehab girls to ask.
Ok I have a walk in stand up shower and I am presuming the OT will advise using a shower chair is that ok to use as I expect I shall be using the air dry method as you say to let my feet dry., although I do have some experience in using a shower chair pre-operation in a normal overhead shower. Now how often do you recommend having a shower? By the by I do have long handled shower tool which is like a scrunchy that women use for their hair and have been using this for some time now.
A shower chair should be fine in your case and most find a shower every 2-3 days sufficient.
How do you turn the handles for the spigot without leaning forward?
Depends on the handle type, but some will work with a Juvo dressing stick. The knob variety are tougher.
I've just had hip surgery but I have the standard shower head attached to the wall. Any quick suggestions?
If it isn’t possible to install a hand held shower head, you can either do you shower alternating sitting/standing (if tolerable/safe) or use a measuring cup to fill while seated to help get yourself thoroughly rinsed. Make sure you cover your incision with some cling wrap early on if you’ll have a lot of water hitting it.
Do you turn the water on prior to getting in the shower and control the on/off by the shower head?
Yes, I love to have the water up to temp before getting into the shower and then using the control valve on the hand held shower head to turn off the spray while transferring in.
I wonder if I need to remove my glass shower doors also? I'm healing from flat foot surgery.
I strongly encourage it for pretty much all lower body surgery recovery. Good luck!
@@EquipMeOT thanks!
I am hoping I'll be able to have a standing shower as I am having an anterior approach operation.
Definitely possible! I still recommend having something to sit on early in recovery in case the meds or post surgical pain makes you woozy in the shower.
Me too having same approach I think I'm told I won't have to go threw all that nowadays. 2023
Me too but how are you planning in getting your leg in the bathtub? Unless your shower is a separate unit...
Are the tips in this video appropriate for ANTERIOR hip replacement?
I'm exactly 3 weeks post op, anterior approach. Surgery was around 5.15 pm, discharged around 2.30 the next day. The night of the op I was briefly on a frame, the next day they had me walking on crutches including stair techniques. Once home with furniture and walls I didn't need the crutches at all but took one with me 'in case' when doing my recommended short walks. Within a week I didn't need crutches at all and with the recommended exercises my strength has returned very quickly, for example I can climb stairs normally and only have trouble with steps that are abnormally high. Little pain . I can't recommend the anterior approach more. I can now put socks on my foot again without using a gadget!
What is the safest way to turn the knob in the shower?
Depends a bit on the type of knob. A lever style will work differently than a knob. If you can use the handle from your long handled sponge or similar to prevent having to lean forward. Another option is to stand to reach, so you don’t have to bend forward as far.
Please tell me where in Canada I can buy the stiff leg lifter you use in your videos. I can only find flimsy ones.
Do you have Amazon? They have just the leg lifter as well as a whole set of "after knee and hip surgery" tools.
The OT department in the hospital has staff that comes around with the leg lifter and the reachers and the sock aides that you can purchase. The leg lifter and the reacher I have used at home during my recovery and especially when you have those hip precautions anywhere from 4-6 wks of not bending over. Amazing how often we drop things during this time. You can use them also when you have knee surgery/replacement.
I live in British Columbia
Senior recently had hip replacement. Needed commode not enough room for bath bench you use. What's an alternative
Would need to know the setup. There are alternatives that fit smaller spaces.
@@EquipMeOT thank you for your response. The other solution was bench bath and I'm not sure what type best.
You really are the greatest out there...and im so grateful for these. For you. 🥲
You’re so kind! Thank you 🥹
Can we bath with soap after two weeks of hip replacement. Thanks 🙏
Yes, just don’t submerge or oversaturate the healing incision. It’s good to gently clean with a low scent or neutral soap!
Lindsey: How do you turn the shower on and off if you are not supposed to bend forward at the waist?
This is a common question. Often, i suggest turning on the shower before getting in and again after getting out. It also depends on the type of controller (pull knob/turn, lever, 2 separate knobs, etc.).
@@EquipMeOT Thank you.
You’re welcome.
hello do they send you home with a walker? after surgery?
You will likely need to get your own.
What about a walk in shower?
How do you get in the tub if it's your left leg that was operated on?
I was wondering the same thing. I am also very tall and long legged.
when would it be best to have first shower?
Your Family and Friends will tell you .......😀
That is seriously a LOT to go through. I was looking for ways to make it easier, not harder!
I like to give all the options to cover the largest number of people possibly viewing. I would suggest an OT consult to give you a more personalized plan of care.
Hi can I bend my body a bit down to wash my face at the bathroom bowl
Yes, that should be safe.
Can you stand in the shower as long as it's a walk in shower?
Yes, it is totally possible to stand, but keep in mind that initially you’ll be weak, sore, and woozy from meds, so having a seat option is a good idea 🙂
Love the video but how do you reach over to turn the water on and off?
Good point
That's where a helper comes in.
Find a surgeon who uses the anterior approach. You'll not need any of this. This approach does not dislocate, you can pick things up, throw away your crutches after a couple of days, and not worry about using a wedge cushion. I could lift my leg within days. I guess if you're 90 this may be appropriate.
If you have a walk-in shower, can you stand long enough to shower normally?
Sometimes. I find that the first week or 2 it can be hard if you are requiring a lot of pain medication since it can also make you a little quicker to fatigue.
@@EquipMeOT You didnt mention how to clean the personal parts while sitting, can you stand up to do that
@@sandyhearn8332 You can definitely stand for short periods to wash your bottom. For many this is the best way :)
How do you turn on the water once you're in the tub without bending your hip?
You can stand from the bench and then leaning forward won’t be significant enough to break precautions. To do it seated would require additional tools based on the type of control you have (lever versus knob, etc.).
I use my grabber and turn on the water. I do have a single handle on and off lever not the knob type. Good luck
How does one turn the water on and off without bending if living alone
Awesome question. This would depend on the type of faucet you have (knob versus lever). The Juvo dressing stick amzn.to/3kVNjFm is really sturdy and rubber coated and can be used on a lever style. Knob style is trickier 🤔
@@EquipMeOT I absolutely love your instructional video! I have a center knob on both showers. One stall shower (very small) and a tub shower. In the stall shower I would have to step in first with my operated leg(right) in order to face the faucet. In the tub shower my good leg would go in first. I am perplexed at which one would be better. I have seen a few videos where the operated leg is bent at the knee behind but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Any other suggestions you have regarding this showering process would be helpful. I live alone and sadly don’t have anyone to help out. My support system is further away where I used to live. Would it be OK to stand in the stall shower? It’s very tiny no. Not sure there would be enough room for a chair and any movement of an outstretched leg. So appreciate any suggestions you might have.
My initial thought is you might be able to stand for brief showers in the stall shower, but it would depend on how your endurance is prior to surgery. If you use the tub shower, you can sit and possibly stand to reach the faucet. As long as you don’t bend beyond 90* at the waist to reach the faucet, you might be alright. Hope this helps a little! It will probably take a little trial prior to surgery to see what works!
@@EquipMeOT Thank you once again. Yes, definitely going to have to walk through some things prior to surgery which is on the 30th of this month. I am 65 years old and a young 65 if I do say so myself. I do not have an arthritic hip but have a severe tear with FAI and bone spurs. I had two different surgeons putting their heads together deciding whether to go the arthroscopic route or the hip replacement route. Because of my age and the amount of stuff needed to be done the arthroscopic surgery was ruled out and the hip replacement was decided.
Good luck! I hope the surgeons get you up and running!!
You didnt mention how to turn the water on and off without bending more than the 90°
I had emergency hip replacement and wonder how to shampoo my hair
When i take a shower, i always take my clothes off, it was the only reason i clicked the link, I am joking of coarse, i will be having a double hip replacement after June 2024, so anything i can learn will be helpful although having two non weight bearing legs is going to be a real PITA (it is now lol)
How to cut Nails if no one near you ,😢😢😢😢
Another sugestión Chance all the shower room , is very old I think more or less from 1914.
What do you do if your strong leg is the right leg not the left. You got out with your left leg.
The transfer should be able to be done either way just minding the 90* angle of the surgically repaired hip. If it’s more difficult to lead with the sore hip than you can turn the bench around and face the opposite wall. If you have a hand held shower it shouldn’t matter which direction your facing (assuming you one that has a control on the head so you can turn it on and off).
Thanks for the informative video. But it looks like a sponge bath will still be needed to wash the private parts, unfortunately.
Glad you mentioned that,I have the same concern. Its going to be difficult for me post operatively as I live alone and it seems like a lot of help is needed at home etc
😃
It's 2023 now hip replacement replacement recovereys have changed
Some have, yes, but it depends on your surgeon and the approach they use for the surgery. Some are still going home with limitations that fit this instruction.
This is scary as hell when you are all alone & with water where you might slip.
I'll take sponge baths. In my nice big kitchen.
I am going to try to do the same thing, especially the first week, as I have seen a person who went through this said he did washcloth clean ups at the sink. Hopefully, at week 2, I will be able to do this method. Definitely using the chair for stability after the incision has healed to get wet again.
This is good unless your right hip was replaced.
Not your best video.. virtually nothing about how to wash the hair AND rinse.. still looking for walk in shower instructions.. do you need a bench for that if you have a shower extended sponge?Can you do this all standing up with a walk in shower?
You wash your hair with your hands.
Not as easy when your 75…..!
Looks to us like you are either involved in selling recovery equipment, or are sponsored by them. You don't need all this stuff. You just get in and stand in the shower. You just keep your leg straight. Sure, getting into and out of a bathtub is more problematic but you may need to wait for a person to help you in and out. In Australia this equipment costs a fortune and your tips just aren't realistic. It's also hard to source.
I’m sorry to hear equipment can be so difficult to source for you. The goal of these videos is to provide a thorough breakdown of all the options. I have worked with hundreds of patients and they all recover differently. Some need all the equipment, some only need a few items, but I try and provide a deep level of resources for the purpose of these videos.
Dont have a tub. Have a stand up shower
Talk too much about getting it wet