After an operation, recovery and rehabilitation is crucial. You’ll need to take it easy, but it’s still important to remain as active as comfortably possible to aid recovery.
Completing everyday tasks and activities will be difficult. Showering, dressing, sitting to standing, and walking will require more effort. Life Unlimited Store stocks a wide range of equipment to help make these tasks easier.
Adaptive equipment allows you to function as independently as possible during the post-operative period when mobility is reduced. That way, you’ll still be active and providing your body with the opportunity to recover while gradually rebuilding strength and mobility.
Handy tip
If you’ve recently had elective surgery on your hip or knee, your disability is likely to be temporary.
Instead of purchasing adaptive equipment, you might want to consider hiring items like wheelchairs, bathroom equipment, even a mobility scooter, from a Life Unlimited Store.
Key pieces of adaptive equipment to make everyday tasks easier
Shower stool
A shower stool provides a place to sit in your shower if you have difficulty standing for a period of time.
Shower stools are height adjustable with a non-slip seat, and the frame’s built in arms can provide support when moving between a sitting and standing position.
Shower stools provide peace of mind if you’re concerned about falling in your shower due to restricted mobility or general fatigue.
Rehabilitation chair
When recovering from a hip operation it’s important the angle between your hip and chest is never less than 90 degrees.
A rehabilitation chair is height adjustable and can be customised for you. The raised seating level means the 90-degree hip precaution is maintained post operation.
This chair provides optimal comfort and the arm rests provide additional support so there’s less pressure on your joints when moving between a sitting and standing position.
Raised toilet seat with frame
A raised toilet seat can help you keep to 90-degree hip precautions post operation and prevent further joint damage occurring.
The raised seat fits most standard toilets, and the sturdy frame has arm rests to provide support when moving between sitting to standing positions.
Crutches
The Life Unlimited Store stocks three different styles of crutches to suit a variety of needs.
Crutches allow you to move with ease post operation, while ensuring you’re not placing excessive weight on the operated limb.
Crutches are made from anodised aluminium, so they’re sturdy yet lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. They’re height adjustable too, so you’re assured of a good fit.
Reacher with shoehorn
You’ll find this piece of adaptive equipment especially helpful for grabbing hard-to-reach objects off the floor or from high places.
This reacher has a built in shoehorn too, so you can use the claw to grab your shoes from the back of the closet, and the shoehorn to slip into your shoes with ease — all without the need to bend over.
It’s ideal for people who have difficulty bending after hip or knee surgery.
Ask us about our other daily living aids:
- Sock and stocking dressing aid
- Car Bar to provide support getting in and out of your car
- Long-handled body brush or sponge
- Chair and bed leg raisers
Download our brochure about living independently after hip or knee surgery
The information in this article was supplied by Maxine Orange and Ellise Robinson as part of their occupational therapy studies at Otago Polytechnic.
Get a great gift for Dad for under $50
