Recovery

After Hip Replacement: Sitting Safely

Choose a preferred language


Learn the safe way to sit to protect your new hip. Follow the instructions below.


Sitting higher

To protect your new hip, you must sit with your knees lower than or level with your hips. To do this, sit in chairs with high seats. Or you can place a firm pillow on the seat of a chair to help raise your hips.

Side view of person seated in higher chair,  showing knee lower than hip.


To sit down

To sit down, back up until the edge of the chair touches your leg. Then, using the armrests to support your weight, lower yourself into the seat. Always keep out in front the leg that was operated on.

Person using walker backing up into chair so that chair touches back of legs.

Person with hands on arms of chair and lowering self into chair, keeping operated leg slightly out in front.

Person seated in chair with hips higher than knees.

Online Medical Reviewer: Rahul Banerjee MD

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C

Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN

Date Last Reviewed: 07/01/2023

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Find a Provider

View Our Directory

Find a Location

View Our Practices
Related Articles
Read article
Orthopedics
After Knee Replacement: Controlling Swelling

Swelling is common after total knee replacement. Read this for steps you can take to reduce the amount of swelling you experience after your surgery.

Read article
Orthopedics
After Knee Replacement: Managing Pain at Home

After knee replacement surgery, it's important to use pain medicine as directed to get back to an active life as soon as possible.

Read article
Orthopedics
After Knee Replacement: Right After Surgery

Your healthcare team will keep track of your progress after your surgery. Be sure to let them know how you feel and how well your pain is controlled. You may also receive medicines, such as antibiotics and blood thinners.

Read article
Orthopedics
Using a Walker After Amputation

Learn how to use a walker after lower limb amputation.