A thumbnail image with the text "Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement" on a blue background to the left. On the right, a woman sits on a bed, using adaptive equipment to assist with dressing. She is wearing a purple T-shirt and gray leggings, with a grabber tool and a walker visible nearby. The setting emphasizes practical solutions for independent dressing after hip replacement surgery.

A Complete Guide to Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

Dressing Medical Equipment, Hip Replacement / By

Recovering from hip replacement surgery (or similar traumatic injury) comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to everyday tasks like getting dressed. While your mobility may be temporarily limited, dressing your lower body can be made much easier with the right strategies and tools. This guide will walk you through practical clothing recommendations, essential adaptive equipment, and step-by-step techniques to help you dress safely and comfortably during your recovery. Whether you’re looking for tips on selecting the best elastic-waist pants or learning how to use a dressing stick effectively, we’ve got you covered with expert advice tailored to support your healing journey.

If you would like to see this content in a video, please check out my YouTube channel EquipMeOT.

What Clothes to Wear After Hip Surgery

First thing to consider when dressing after a lower body injury or hip surgery is what to wear. What you wear when you leave the hospital after a hip replacement surgery is very important.

The most obvious tip is that the outfit you choose should be easy to put on and comfortable to wear. Go with either athletic wear, like some nice loose shorts if it’s summertime, or a really comfortable pair of sweatpants if it is a little cooler out. The clothes should give you a good amount of space, comfort, and are much easier to get on and off. Dresses and nightgowns are also a great option.

Another thing to consider is the type of sock you wear. I always tell folks to plan on having some lower body swelling. And beware, swelling can occur in both legs after hip surgery, not just your surgical leg. Try to select socks that have a fairly loose, comfortable band that allows for a little bit of stretch. If you prefer a higher sock, I often recommend folks consider purchasing diabetic socks. Even if you do not have diabetes, diabetic socks have more give at the top to accommodate fluctuations in swelling in the legs.

A pair of white diabetic socks displayed on a mannequin foot, alongside a packaged set of the same socks. The packaging features a bold purple label with the text "Loose Fit Top - Physician Approved Therapeutic Diabetic Socks" and lists conditions they are recommended for, such as circulatory problems, diabetes, edema, and neuropathy - Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery
Diabetic Socks for $17.88* on Amazon

Another sock to consider is a grippy sock. Yep! These are the same ones you might typically get from the hospital. They are great for maintaining traction, especially on wood or vinyl floors.

A set of non-slip socks in black and gray colors, arranged in alternating pairs. The socks feature textured grips on the soles for improved traction, ideal for preventing slips on smooth surfaces. Made with a plush, soft material, they provide both warmth and comfort, suitable for indoor use. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery
Grippy socks for $17.88* on Amazon

In addition, consider your footwear options. A slip-on shoe with a back and no laces like a Kizik is a great option. Some people might turn to a slide-on shoe without a back because they’re the easiest to get on and off, but, as a therapist, I don’t recommend using these types of shoe because they tend to make you more prone to losing balance or falling. If you want to use a traditional tennis shoe I would highly consider buying a good set of elastic shoelaces which simply replace your regular shoelaces. This will convert your tennis shoe into a slip-on shoe.

How to Put on Underwear or Pants After Hip Replacement

Now let’s talk about how to put on pants or underwear after a lower leg injury or hip surgery. Before we talk about the steps for putting on underwear or pants, we need to talk about where to do it. When dressing, you need to make sure you are choosing a surface that is easy to sit and stand from. In addition, if you are using a walker for recovery, keep that directly in front of you, to help with stability.

I am going to use my grabber to help get my underwear and pants on. If you do not have a reacher, I recommend getting one, but I do have a DIY alternative for putting pants on and you can see that post and video thought this link here.

A blue and black reacher grabber tool with a long, lightweight aluminum shaft. It features a contoured handle with a trigger mechanism for operating the claw-like gripping end. The device is designed for picking up items or assisting individuals with limited mobility to reach objects at a distance. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery
Standard Grabber Tool for $15.64* on Amazon

OK, first step, always start with your surgical leg. I’m going to use the grabber to grip the waist band of my underwear or pants and simply guide it over that surgical leg first then over the other leg.

A woman seated on a bed uses a reacher grabber tool to pick up black sweatpants from the floor. She is wearing a purple T-shirt, gray leggings, and a black headband, with a walker positioned nearby for mobility support. The setting includes a neatly made bed with assistive tools on it, showcasing a practical use of adaptive equipment in a home environment. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery
A woman sits on a bed using a reacher grabber tool to lift black sweatpants from the floor. She is dressed in a purple T-shirt and gray leggings, with a walker and black slip-on shoes nearby. The wooden paneling and neatly made bed create a cozy bedroom setting, demonstrating the practical use of assistive tools for everyday tasks. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

Staying in a reclined position with my one arm holding me up from behind, use the grabber to help pull up the underwear until you can grab them with your hands.

A woman sitting on a bed is pulling up a pair of black pants over her right leg with her right hand. She is wearing a purple T-shirt, gray leggings, and a black headband. Nearby are a walker and a collection of assistive devices placed on the bed, emphasizing adaptive solutions for dressing independently in a home environment. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

When putting on long pants, make sure you get your feet all the way through before you go to stand up. You could end up standing on your pants while standing up, making it hard to pull them up. It is very important, when I go to stand, that I don’t bend forward to maintain hip precaution. I’m going to have to push up to keep mt hip in a nice 90 degree position or beyond. Have your walker in front of you to help get you standing.

A woman stands using a walker for support while pulling up a pair of black sweatpants. She is wearing a purple T-shirt and a black headband in a bedroom with wooden paneling. Assistive tools are visible on the bed behind her, emphasizing independence and the use of adaptive equipment for dressing.Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

How to Put on Socks After Hip Replacement

OK, you’ve got pants on, but now how to put on socks? To help with putting on socks after a hip replacement, I recommend a sock aid.

A white sock aid device with blue foam handles and attached ropes, designed to assist individuals with limited mobility in putting on socks. The contoured plastic frame features a non-slip blue pad to hold the sock securely in place while pulling it onto the foot. Ideal for those with difficulty bending or reaching. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery
Sock Aid for $12.99* on Amazon

The traditional way to do this is to place the sock aid between your knees and apply pressure to hold it in place. This may be uncomfortable for you if you’re recovering from a recent hip replacement, so you can simply set it on your lap as well.

You’re going to start by pulling the sock over the sock aid so that the bottom of the sock, which would be the bottom of your foot, goes on the solid surface of the sock aid. We’re going to pull it down, it’s very important that you pull your sock as close to the tip of the sock as you can.

A person demonstrates using a sock aid device by pulling a black and gray sock onto the aid's curved frame. The white ropes attached to the device are held firmly. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

Using the long handles, guide the sock aid down to your foot on your surgical leg. The, carefully slide the sock aid over your foot. Keep pulling until the sock aid is out and your sock is on your foot.

A woman sitting on a bed uses a sock aid device to put on a black and gray sock. She is holding the ropes of the device, guiding the sock onto her foot. She is dressed in a purple T-shirt and black pants, with adaptive tools and a walker visible nearby. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

For your non-surgical leg, you have options if you have good flexibility with this leg. You can cross your leg over your other leg and dress it in that way or lift your leg up to put your sock on the traditional way as long as you stay beyond 90 degrees with the surgically repaired or replaced hip. Its very important that you do NOT do that with your surgical leg.

How to Put on Shoes After Hip Replacement

When it comes to putting on shoes after a hip replacement, I really like the using a specific too, the Juvo dressing stick with shoe horn. This particular dressing stick is nice and long with a good grip. The swoopy, grippy end is meant to help guide your shoe into position.

A white long-handled shoehorn with a light gray grip section and a hook on the opposite end. The ergonomic design and durable material make it ideal for assisting individuals with limited flexibility or mobility in putting on shoes or removing socks. The hook adds additional versatility for dressing tasks. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery
Juvo Dressing Stick with Shoe Horn for $14.99* on Amazon

Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

Place the shoe horn side in the back of the shoe and place your foot partly in the shoe with your heal on the actual shoe horn. Now guide your foot down and in, sliding your foot along the shoe horn. Careful with thicker socks, they can make it difficult to get your foot in your shoe. Pull out the shoe horn and do the same with the other shoe. Do all this while keeping a 90 degree or more bend on your surgical hip.

A close-up of a person using a long-handled shoehorn to assist in putting on a black slip-on shoe over a gray and black sock. The shoe features elastic straps for a snug fit, and the scene highlights the practicality of adaptive tools for individuals with limited mobility. Lower Body Dressing After Hip Replacement Surgery

That’s it!

*all prices are at the time of publishing

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