How to Shower After Hip Replacement Surgery

author imageCynthia Myers

Cynthia Myers is the author of numerous novels and her nonfiction work has appeared in publications ranging from "Historic Traveler" to "Texas Highways" to "Medical Practice Management." She has a degree in economics from Sam Houston State University.

Hip replacement surgery can restore your mobility after a hip fracture, or after the surgical replacement of a joint damaged by arthritis. Doctors replace the hip joint with an artificial joint. After several days hospitalization, you'll return home to continue your recovery. For the first several weeks you'll have stitches and you won't be able to take a bath, but you can shower, as long as you follow a few precautions.

Install safety grab rails in your shower before you have the surgery. Though you'll be able to stand for limited periods of time immediately after your surgery, the safety rails will provide extra stability. They'll also make it easier for you to lower yourself into a shower chair. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommends mounting a grab bar with screws that go into wall studs behind the shower.

Rent a shower chair from a medical supply company. The shower chair allows you to sit while you take a shower. Choose a chair with a back for added stability. Adjust the chair as tall as possible so that your legs are almost fully extended when you sit.

Attach a hand-held shower nozzle to your shower. This allows you to hold the head and direct the flow of water where it's needed.

Enter the shower, using crutches or the grab bars to steady yourself. Slowly lower yourself onto the shower stool, supporting your weight with your good leg and keeping the leg on the side on which you had surgery extended as much as possible.

Turn on the water and use the handheld nozzle to direct the flow of water to wet yourself. Avoid focusing the water on the incision, though the University of California San Diego Health System says it's OK if the incision gets a little wet; you don't want to soak it.

Shut off the water. Support yourself with the grab bars as you stand. Outside of the shower blot your incision dry with a towel.

Install grab bars in the wall around your tub. Mount the bars with long screws that go all the way into wall studs behind the shower.

Install a handheld shower head. Remove your current shower head and screw on the hand-held attachment. Make sure the hose is long enough to reach you when you sit on a shower chair in the tub.

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