Preparing for Surgery: Adaptive Equipment

You MAY need some equipment to help you during your recovery. Some of this equipment is optional. Insurance coverage varies. Because each patient recovers differently, your surgeon will prescribe the equipment that is best for your recovery. Your case manager will help you understand your insurance coverage and order the prescribed equipment for you to take home.

• Walking aids—to help steady your gait and provide support for your operated leg.
• Elevated toilet seat—to use on your toilet at home to reduce stress on your hips and knees.
• Seat cushion—to use on a chair to elevate the seat to the appropriate height.
• Reacher—to help pick up dropped items and put on underwear or pants while maintaining your hip precautions.
• Bath seat—extends over the side of the tub to help you bathe safely and maintain precautions. Place the bath seat in the tub or shower and elevate to appropriate eight. Use a shower hose to limit the time you must sit or stand in the tub or shower.
• Long-handled bath sponge—to assist you in washing your operating leg and foot, the long-handled bath sponge is useful to avoid bending. You can also wrap a towel around the sponge to help with drying off.
• Dressing stick—the dressing stick assists you in dressing yourself when you cannot bend. The combination of hook-pusher on one end helps you pull on slacks or skirts, or remove socks.
• Sock aid—Put the sock over the end of the sock aid, and pull on most of the sock. Lower the aid down to your foot by using the straps, and place your foot into the opening of the sock. Pull the aid until the sock is all the way on. The sock aid pulls out of the top of the sock.
• Long-handled shoehorn—The handle on this shoehorn has been extended to avoid unnecessary bending when putting your shoes on. Place the shoehorn inside the back of your shoe and push your heel down into the shoe.
• Elastic shoelaces—Lace the elastic shoelaces into your shoes and tie them. These rubber/rayon laces provide firm support yet stretch to allow your feet to slip in or out of the shoes without having to untie and retie them.