How to Get In and Out of Bed After Hip Replacement (Without Breaking Your New Hip!)

Introduction: The Hip-Not-So-Magic Trick

So, you’ve had a hip replacement (or you’re about to join the titanium club). Congrats! Now comes the real question: how do you get in and out of bed without breaking every “hip precaution” your surgeon drilled into you?

I’m Dr. Shawn, Your PT Guy. I help you move better, stay independent, and (bonus) keep your hip from staging a dramatic exit. Today, I’ll show you three safe ways to get in and out of bed after hip replacement surgery. And yes, one involves my very pregnant wife trying to help me—spoiler: she’s excused from heavy lifting.

Step 1: Know Your Hip Precautions (aka, Don’t Break It Before You Make It)

Before you leap (well, gently scoot) into bed, you need to know your hip precautions.

• Posterior Hip Precautions (cut from the back):
  • Don’t bend your hip past 90 degrees. (Say goodbye to sock-putting-on yoga.)
  • Don’t cross your legs. (Sorry, no more leg-twisting lounge poses.)
  • Don’t let your toes turn in. (Think “ski tips forward.” Pretend you’re on the bunny slopes.)
• Anterior Hip Precautions (cut from the front or side):
  • Don’t kick your leg backward. (That person behind you in the grocery line will thank you.)
  • Don’t cross your legs.
  • Don’t turn your feet out. Again—ski tips forward!

Some surgeons also add the “pillow-between-your-knees” rule, depending on their style. Bottom line: know your surgeon’s rules before you attempt your bed gymnastics.

Step 2: Three Ways to Get In and Out of Bed After a Hip Replacement Safely

1. The Assisted Glide (aka “Thanks Honey, But Don’t Break Me”)

If you’ve got a helper, have them guide your leg while you scoot your bottom back onto the bed.

Key point: YOU lead, THEY follow.

Your helper shouldn’t just fling your leg like they’re pitching a baseball—that’s a shortcut to dislocation city. Work together like a dance team (minus the salsa spins).

Fun fact: My pregnant wife demonstrated this with me — you can even see the video. Don’t worry, I spared her the heavy lifting.

2. The Butt-Walk Shuffle (Independence Level: Jedi)

This is my favorite way to get in and out of bed after hip replacement. Sit on the edge of the bed and scoot your bottom back while leaning slightly backward.

• Butt walk.
• Let the bed “capture” your leg as you move.
• Keep everything in line: pelvis, leg, feet forward.

Basically, you’re letting gravity and mattress engineering do most of the work. No broken precautions, no circus act required.

3. The Tools of the Trade (Leg Lifters & DIY Hacks)

Sometimes, gadgets make life easier.

• Leg Lifter Strap: Loop it around your foot, use your arms to guide your leg up and over. (Amazon sells them; check the link here.)
• Stiff Strap or Pet Leash: Same concept—looks like you’re catching a wild hip instead of a wild animal.
• DIY Blanket or Sheet Hack: Lasso your foot and give a gentle pull. (Warning: do not go full cowboy. Hospitals frown on hip dislocations.)

Remember: tools = assistance, not shortcuts. Don’t twist, yank, or “fish” for your leg. Unless you want a bonus hospital trip… which you don’t.

Step 3: Getting Out of Bed (The Reverse Shuffle)

The best way to get out of bed after hip replacement is to reverse everything you just learned:

• Use your arms.
• Keep your ski tips forward.
• Scoot your bottom forward.
• Move slow and steady, not like you’re late for last call.

Boom—you’re out of bed and still hip-precaution compliant.

Wrapping It Up: Independence Over Awkwardness