If you’ve recently had hip replacement surgery, you must care for your new hip properly 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, as both can make using the toilet tricky. This is where seating aids and bathroom mobility aids such as toilet seat raisers are highly useful for providing support and convenience. 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.
Keep reading to find out how using a raised toilet seat for hip replacement recovery can provide the necessary support you need while using the toilet and how to correctly use one.
Why should I use a raised toilet seat after a hip replacement?
Using toilet mobility aids after a hip replacement surgery is 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?
Reduce the risk of injury
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 the risk of damaging the new hip, which may only be fixed with additional surgery.
Increase independence and confidence
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.
What to consider when buying a raised toilet seat after a hip replacement?
When buying a raised toilet seat for hip replacement recovery, there are a few things you should consider beforehand:
The size and shape of your toilet bowl and existing seat
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.
With or without a lid
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.
The height of your raised toilet seat
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.
Can it be easily attached and removed for travel?
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 do so safely with your raised toilet seat.
When can you use a regular toilet after hip replacement?
You will need to use a raised toilet seat until your new hip has fully healed, which usually takes 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.
How high should a raised toilet seat be after a hip replacement?
After 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 for hip replacement recovery is that when seated, your hips need to be higher than your knees, but not so 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.
- Measure the distance from the floor to the bend in the back of your knee (= Distance X).
- Then, measure the distance between the floor to the top of your toilet seat (= Distance Y).
- Subtract the distance from the floor to the bend in your knee (Distance X) from the distance from the floor to the top of your toilet seat (Distance Y): Distance X – Distance Y = Distance Z (the height of the raised toilet seat you need).
- This figure (Z) is the height you will need to add to your existing toilet seat by using a raised toilet seat.
- You can also add a couple of inches to Distance Z to make it even easier for you to sit down and get up again, but do ensure that your feet will still touch the floor.
If you are unsure, then you can check with your doctor for advice on how much extra height you will need.
