Items Needed After Hip Surgery

 Premium 5-Piece Hip Knee Replacement Kit – Total Hip Knee Equipment Kit – Ideal for Recovering from Hip Replacement, Knee or Back Surgery, Mobility Tool for Moving and Dressing (32 Inch Reacher)

There Are Many Items Needed After Hip Surgery – Some I’ll Bet You’ve Never Thought About

My Mom suffered a pathological fracture in her hip while sitting in her easy chair one day – that’s right, her hip broke while she was sitting down.

Understanding what a pathological fracture is and the fact that it wasn’t the caregiver’s fault was very helpful to those of us caring for Mom. I suggest you read that article highlighted above and arm yourself with some information.

Mom walked on a broken hip all day, only rarely complaining that her arthritic hip was hurting more than usual. Finally, in the bathroom, the unavoidable fall happened. Off to the ER we went.

After X-rays and many consultations with a physician, we decided to go ahead with a hip surgery. Now, Mom was 95 at this point and, although she had a DNR (do not resuscitate), the family knew that, if we didn’t have the hip surgery, she would suffer horribly every time she was moved in a bed (she’d never stand again without surgery), every time we had to change her. It would be insufferable. The surgery and subsequent recovery in rehab were better choices.

Mom did great through the hip surgery. She was released to rehab just 3 days later and, 2 weeks after that? She was in our home again, safe and, presumably, sound.

It was while we were going through this replacement hip episode that I saw a need for an article. There are LOTS of things to think about after hip surgery for the elderly, including a whole lot of items that we needed but I’d never heard of.

So, in this article, I’ll give you some information to think about and some links to items on Amazon that will help your elderly loved one recover from hip surgery.

Note: someone has to say it – after a major surgery like hip replacement, the elderly generally give us just 3-6 months more. And, true to that statistic, Mom lived 93 day more. But, those days were pain-free and happy days…and very memorable for me.

Arnica!

I’m not sure why more doctors don’t recommend using Arnica when bruising or swelling is evident but they should.

Arnica is a homeopathic that works by clearing up bruises and reducing swelling in a ridiculously fast time. I had a black eye once and Arnica cleared the whole thing in 3 days.

I prefer the sublingual (under the tongue) tablets of Arnica but there’s also a regular pill form. The one I buy is the Hyland’s Arnica Montana, the first link below.

A few things to remember about Arnica

• Arnica comes as a salve but it should NEVER be placed on an open wound. This preparation works well for clearing up surface bruises after falls.
• Never EVER give anything to an elderly loved one (including vitamins) without talking to the physician.

   Hyland’s Arnica Montana 30X Tablets, Natural Homeopathic Relief of Bruises & Muscle Soreness, 250 Count(Pack of 3) Boiron Arnica Gel for Pain Relief, 2.6 Ounce, Topical Analgesic for Neck Pain, Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Leg and Foot Pain, Muscle Pain, Joint Pain Relief, Arthritis. Natural Active Ingredient Boiron Arnica Montana 30C Pain Relief Medicine, 3 Count. Homeopathic, Quick-dissolving, for Neck Pain, Back Pain, Shoulder Pain, Leg and Foot Pain, Muscle Pain, Joint Pain Relief and Arthritis.

  Hip Replacement Recovery Kits

  Your elderly loved one’s doctor will probably ask you to buy a hip replacement recovery kit. These kits, shown below, help during the recovery period when one can’t bend down to, for example, put on their shoes.

   RMS Premium 5-Piece Hip Knee Replacement Kit | Total Hip Knee Equipment Kit | Ideal for Recovering from Hip Replacement, Knee or Back Surgery | Mobility Tool for Moving and Dressing (32 Deluxe 7 piece Hip / Knee replacement Kit with 26 inch Reacher – From Mars Wellness BodyHealt Deluxe Hip Knee Replacement Kit (9 Piece Set) (Reacher, Dressing Stick, Metal Shoe Horn, Sock Aid, Long Figure 8 Sponge, Elastic Shoelaces White, Black, Button Zipper Hook, Leg Lifter)

  Gait Belts

  Gait belts allow one to always have a ‘handle’ on their elderly loved one. Mom wore a gait belt way before she broke her hip – I always had my hand on the belt when Mom was on the move.

   Transfer Belt with Handles by TKWC INC – #2305 – Lift Gait Belt with Quick Release Locking Buckle Safety Gate Belt 55 LiftAid Transfer & Walking Gait Belt w/Metal Buckle & Belt Loop Holder for Therapist, Nurse, Home Care – 60 Secure Transfer Gait Belt with Handles and Quick Release Buckle – Elderly Patient Walking Ambulation Assist Mobility Aid (52

  Adaptive Car Items

  Hopefully, your elderly loved one will be riding in your car again. These adaptive car items help with getting into and getting out of a car.

   Stander CarCaddie – Automotive Standing Aid and Adjustable Safety Vehicle Support Handle Portable Nylon Car Assist Device Drive Medical Deluxe Swivel Seat Cushion, Gray Stander HandyBar – Automotive Standing Aid Car Assist Handle + Vehicle Emergency Escape Tools with Window Breaker & Seat Belt Cutter Car Handle with Car Assist Door Handle Grip Strap, Glass Breaker and Belt Cutter- for Elderly and Disabled

  Elastic Waist Pants

  Forget about zippers during hip replacement surgery – your elderly loved one is going to want ease when it comes to dressing.

  And, since a lot of sitting will be done, make sure to get soft, flexible material like a jogging suit or soft flannel. Broadcloth is a nice material for pajamas but it doesn’t stretch so I don’t recommend it post hip surgery.

  Elastic Waist Pants For Men

   Sweatsedo Mens Velour Tracksuit Noble Mount Men’s Premium Flannel Thermal Lounge Set – Plaid Navy/Black – Large KingSize Men’s Big & Tall Flannel Plaid Lounge Pants, Twilight Plaid Big-4Xl #FollowMe 44911-6-L Pajama Pants Set For Men/Sleepwear/PJS DUNKINBO Mens Athletic Full Zip Fleece Tracksuit Jogging Sweatsuit Activewear (Deep grey3,L) Vertical Sport Men’s 2 Piece Jacket & Pants Slim Fit Jogging Track Suit

  Elastic Waist Pants For Women

   

   AMiERY Women’s Casual Pajama Pants Floral Print Drawstring Palazzo Lounge Pants Wide Leg CYZ Women’s Basic Stretch Cotton Knit Pajama Sleep Lounge Pan-DarkBlueMelange-L Noble Mount Women’s Cotton Flannel Lounge Pants – Constellations Blue – X-Large Pink Queen Women Velvet Long Sleeve Full-Zip Jacket Jogging Pants Suit Tracksuit

  Bedside Commodes Are Helpful Post Hip Surgery

  We bought Mom a bedside commode (aka, bedside toilet) when she first came to live with us. That bedside toilet would come into play more after her hip surgery as the bathroom was down the hall.

  I didn’t know there were bedside commode liners (!) and certainly would recommend you have these on hand. Saves a LOT of washing. I also always kept a bunch of Clorox wipes on hand to sanitize the pot and the seat after I cleaned them.

   Drive Medical Steel Folding Bedside Commode Medline MDS89664KDMB 3-in-1 Steel Bedside Microban Antimicrobial Protection Commode, Light Grey with Blue Accent Drive Medical Steel Drop Arm Bedside Commode with Padded Seat and Arms, Grey Carebag Medical Grade Commode Liners with Super Absorbent Pad, 20 Liners TidyCare Commode Liners – Value Pack – Disposable Bedside Commode Liners – 48 commode liners – Adult commode chair – Commode pail liners – Universal fit Aluminum Shower Chair/bedside Commode W/casters and Padded Seat, Commode Pail and Cover

  Get A Good Walker To Try To Avoid Hip Surgery In The First Place!

  After checking with insurance to see if they’d cover a walker, head to Amazon and look at these. All are highly reviewed on Amazon with at least 4 out of 5 stars.

   Deluxe Two Button Folding Walker with 5-Inch Wheels Drive Medical Trigger Release Folding Walker, Brushed Steel Drive Medical 10200-1 Deluxe Two Button Folding Walker, Silver Hugo Elite Rollator Walker with Seat, Backrest and Saddle Bag, Blue Drive Medical Four Wheel Walker Rollator with Fold Up Removable Back Support Medline Steel Foldable Adult Transport Rollator Mobility Walker with 6” Wheels, Burgundy

  Increase Strength Post Hip Surgery With Elastic Exercise Bands

  These elastic bands are probably what your elderly loved one worked out with in rehap after their surgery. A set of these for home will help keep the physical therapy going.

   Resistance Loop Bands / Exercise Bands / Fitness Bands, Set of 5, with Exercise Guide – 5x power body band, workout bands for yoga, rehab, crossfit, strength training, pilates, calisthenics Limm Exercise Resistance Loop Bands – Set of 5, 12-inch Workout Bands – Best for Stretching, Physical Therapy, Yoga and Home Fitness – Bonus eBook, Instruction Manual, Online Videos & Carry Bag TheFitLife Exercise and Resistance Bands Set – Stackable up to 110 lbs Workout Tubes for Indoor and Outdoor Sports, Fitness, Suspension, Speed Strength, Baseball Softball Training, Home Gym, Yoga Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set with Door Anchor, Ankle Strap, Exercise Chart, and Resistance Band