The transition from the hospital following hip replacement surgery marks the beginning of recovery at home. Choosing the right clothing for discharge significantly impacts safety and comfort. The garments must support surgical precautions, helping to prevent complications during the initial healing phase. This guidance provides practical recommendations for selecting ideal clothing to ensure a secure and manageable trip home.
Principles for Safe Post-Surgery Dressing
Adherence to hip precautions is the primary consideration for post-operative dressing. These precautions often mandate avoiding bending the hip past 90 degrees, twisting, or crossing the legs to minimize the risk of joint dislocation during recovery. The clothing selected must allow you to dress and undress while maintaining this limited range of motion.
The surgical site will likely be swollen and tender, and you will have a protective dressing in place. Therefore, garments must be loose-fitting to accommodate swelling and prevent irritation or pressure on the incision. Selecting clothing that can be easily pulled on and off reduces the physical effort and twisting motions required for dressing.
Recommended Lower Body Attire
Since hip surgery directly affects the lower body, clothing choices for pants, shorts, or skirts are critical. Loose-fitting athletic wear, such as wide-leg sweatpants, is recommended for the trip home. The extra room allows the fabric to slide easily over the surgical dressing and swelling without catching or pulling.
The waistband should feature a simple elastic closure or a drawstring. These closures eliminate the need for fine motor skills and excessive bending required for traditional buttons, snaps, or zippers. Avoid tight-fitting garments like denim jeans, leggings, or trousers with narrow leg openings, which are difficult to maneuver over a stiff or swollen leg while seated. For women, a loose-fitting dress or nightgown is an excellent option that bypasses the challenge of maneuvering pants.
Upper Body and Essential Footwear
For the upper body, choose shirts that are easy to put on and take off without raising your arms high or straining your shoulders. A loose-fitting top with a full-length zipper or buttons, such as a zip-up hoodie or a button-down shirt, is preferable to a pullover style. This allows you to dress the operated side first and avoids awkward maneuvering.
Footwear is important for fall prevention immediately following joint replacement. You must wear sturdy, supportive shoes with a closed heel and a non-slip sole to ensure maximum traction and stability while walking with a cane or walker. Slip-on shoes or those with Velcro closures are the best choice because they eliminate the need to bend down to tie laces, which would violate hip precautions. Avoid footwear that lacks a secure back, such as flip-flops, sandals, or slippers, as these can easily slip off and increase the risk of a fall.
Preparing for Hospital Discharge
The process of getting dressed for discharge should be done while seated to maintain stability and comply with movement restrictions. Use adaptive aids like a dressing stick or a long-handled reacher to manipulate clothing around your feet and lower legs. The correct technique is always to dress the surgical leg first, using the reacher to guide the foot into the pant leg.
Once the garment is pulled up to the knee level, you can stand with support from a walker or assistant to pull the clothing up over your hips. Have your chosen outfit ready and accessible to the nursing staff before you begin the process. Practicing this modified dressing technique with a physical or occupational therapist while in the hospital ensures confidence and safety before leaving the facility.