Does anterior approach THR require toilet riser and walker

Posted by msvjv @msvjv, 5 days ago

Hi. Having THR soon. Physical done by ortho PA. She said there is no restriction on leg movement. Has anyone here not needed a toilet riser or walker after anterior approach THR?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

Hi, I had Anterior THR January 2025. I did not have a toilet riser, I have a taller toilet and two regular height. It would have been nice to have a riser but not needed. Next hip, I’m getting a cushioned toilet seat…really!
I definitely needed a walker and then a cane. Surgery center required we bring a walker for going home.
What I thought was helpful was a leg lifter to get that leg in bed and up on the couch, a sock putter on-er and a grabber. Nice ice therapy bags, one on you and one in the freezer. I iced for two months because it felt good and I had no swelling. I’m 64, in great shape, and I’m 4 months post hip replacement and doing awesome! Good luck!

REPLY

Yes, a toilet riser and walker are really helpful with THR. Why not use all of the tools available to you?

REPLY

I agree with everything fdiane said. We followed the exact same playbook. I had a toilet riser but didn’t need it and didn’t use it. Everything else is either necessary or very helpful. (walker, cane, grabber, sock thing, ice packs) I am now 78, had my thr two years ago and everything is great. I walk four to five miles a day and have no hip pain.

REPLY
@fdiane

Hi, I had Anterior THR January 2025. I did not have a toilet riser, I have a taller toilet and two regular height. It would have been nice to have a riser but not needed. Next hip, I’m getting a cushioned toilet seat…really!
I definitely needed a walker and then a cane. Surgery center required we bring a walker for going home.
What I thought was helpful was a leg lifter to get that leg in bed and up on the couch, a sock putter on-er and a grabber. Nice ice therapy bags, one on you and one in the freezer. I iced for two months because it felt good and I had no swelling. I’m 64, in great shape, and I’m 4 months post hip replacement and doing awesome! Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. What is a leg lifter?

REPLY
@mitfit

Yes, a toilet riser and walker are really helpful with THR. Why not use all of the tools available to you?

Jump to this post

Hi. I have a higher toilet and a grab bar next to it to help with sitting and standing.

REPLY
@msvjv

Thank you for your response. What is a leg lifter?

Jump to this post

it gets slipped under your leg to lift it. But I used either a rolled up towel or a belt to do the lifting. Just to make it easy on my leg muscles.

REPLY

A leg lifter is a long flexible metal cored strap with a foot loop and a hand loop that helps you lift and position your leg in bed.

REPLY

I had both on hand, (toilet raiser with handle bars, and a walker). After 3 days, I found i no longer needed either, but kept using the walker for safety until the 10th day. The most helpful tool is the long handled “gripper”, I still use it to pick things up off the floor. (My surgery was late January this year)

REPLY
@ddsack

A leg lifter is a long flexible metal cored strap with a foot loop and a hand loop that helps you lift and position your leg in bed.

Jump to this post

This was very helpful to me. I recommend it.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.