Patient/caregiver was instructed upon fall Precautions during immediate post-hip replacement as follows:
- Avoid any piece of furniture or assistive devices with wheels, swivels, or rockers. They can be highly unstable, offer poor support, and carry significant risk for falls & accidents.
- During the immediate phase of post-hip replacement, individuals must plan most of their life on one level in the house. This helps with avoiding the stress of climbing stairs and uneventful falls. Having an elevator can be of additional support for patients in dwellings situated on two or more floors.
- If an elevator is not available and climbing stairs is unavoidable, having sturdy railings on the stairs offers support to the individual going up and down the stairs. Always remember the rule – “Up with the good leg and down with the bad leg” while climbing up and down the stairs. If both legs are equally affected, you can have either leg as the leading leg, followed by the other. Marking the edges of the steps with bright contrasting colored paint or tape can help with safe placement of foot during climbing up and down the stairs. Having the staircase enough lighted can also contribute to fall prevention. While climbing up and down the stairs, holding a cane in the hand opposite to the side of bad leg, as allowed, can be an extra support.
- Use of a handheld water hose can help avoid the stress of turning your back inside the shower to the stream of water. Handheld water hose can help easy rinsing of back and other difficult to reach areas of the body, while seated on the shower bench. Having an extension to the water hose, as needed, can add more comfort.
