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Skip BreadcrumbsHome At Home Resuming Daily Activities Taking a Shower or Bath

 Taking a Shower or Bath

Bathroom

Plan to have someone with you to support you during your first few shower and bath transfers. When bathing, use a bench or chair, non-slip bath mats, and grab-bars. If you have any concerns at all, you can sponge bath for the early days following your surgery.

While falls can happen anywhere, you are at a higher risk of falling while in the bathroom. Some ways for you to avoid falls:

  • Make sure the path from your bedroom to the bathroom is well-lit and free of clutter
  • Wear non-slip shoes or slippers
  • If you feel dizzy or unsteady on your feet, talk to your family doctor

The techniques listed below are recommended during early healing and are generally in place for six to eight weeks following your surgery.  They may be extended on the advice or your surgeon or therapist. 

Click on these links for step by step instructions on how to safely shower, bath and wash your hair after you return home.

Getting In/Out of a Walk-in Shower Stall

Grab bars and non-slip mats should be installed where possible, to make getting in/out of the shower easier and safer. When bars cannot be installed and if space allows, you can use your walking aid (walker, crutches or cane) for more support.

Before showering, make sure you have everything you need set-up within easy reach.

To safely get into a walk-in shower stall, follow these steps: 

  1. Stand close to and face the shower door, and move your walker behind you.
  2. Hold the grab bar/rail with one hand and the cane in the other for support (Note: You can use a walker or crutches if there is no grab bar/rail, and if there is enough space).
  3. Step into the shower stall with your non-operated leg first.
  4. Then step into the shower stall with your operated leg, by using your walking aid and grab bars for support.
  5. Move your walker out of the way but keep it within arms reach.

To safely get out of a walk-in shower stall, follow these steps:

  1. Stand close to, and face the shower door.
  2. Hold the grab bar/rail with one hand and your cane/walking aid in the other.
  3. Step out of the shower stall with your operated leg first.
  4. Then step down with your non-operated leg, using your walking aid and or grab bars for support.

To watch a video clip on how to safely get in and out of a walk-in shower stall, please see below.   Please note that you may be prompted to install Microsoft's video software called Silverlight to view the video.

Getting In and Out of a Standard Bathtub

Note: These instructions for getting in and out of a standard bathtub are for patients who are allowed to weight bear as tolerated (WBAT) following surgery. Plan to have someone with you to help the first few times you get in and out of the bathtub. If you have any concerns at all, you can sponge bath in the early days after your surgery.

Grab bars and non-slip mats should be in place where possible, to maker getting in/out of the bathtub easier and safer.

Before bathing, make sure you have everything you need set-up within easy reach.

To safely get into a standard tub, follow these steps:

  1. If you do not have, or are unable to install, grab bars in your tub enclosure, it is strongly recommended that you get an add-on-tub rail.
  2. The position of grab bars/rail will decide the direction you will go when getting into and out of the tub.
  3. Align yourself parallel to the tub, and with the support of grab bars/rail, bend the knee closest to the tub behind you.
  4. Shift your weight from the leg outside the tub to the leg inside the tub.
  5. With support from the grab bars/rail, move your other leg into the tub.

To safely get out of a standard tub, follow these steps:

  1. Align yourself parallel to the tub, and with the support of grab bars/rail, bend the knee closest to the tub behind you.
  2. Shift your weight from the leg inside the tub to the leg outside the tub.
  3. With support from the grab bars/rail, move your other leg outside the tub.

To watch a video clip on how to safely get in and out of a standard bathtub, please see below.  Please note that you may be prompted to install Microsoft's video software called Silverlight to view the video.

Getting In/Out of a Bathtub Using a Transfer Bench

A bathtub transfer bench lets you sit while bathing for more safety and comfort. Plan to have someone with you to help you the first few times you get in and out of the bathtub. If you have any concerns at all, you can sponge bath in the early days after your surgery.

Grab bars and non-slip mats should be in place where possible, to make getting in/out of the bathtub easier and safer.

Before bathing, make sure you have everything you need set-up within easy reach.

To safely get into a tub using a transfer bench, follow these steps:

  1. Set up the tub transfer bench so that the seat height is a few inches (2-3”) above knee height.
  2. Back up until you feel the bench at the back of your legs.
  3. Place your hand on the back of the chair or use the add-on tub rail for support.
  4. Slide your operated leg forward.
  5. Lower yourself down onto the bench.
  6. Slide across the bench.
  7. Swing your legs into the tub. If you had hip replacement surgery, remember to follow your hip precautions. Do not bend your hips past 90 degrees.
  8. If you had hip replacement surgery, do not reach forward to adjust the taps (this goes against your hip precautions). Instead, you should use a hand held shower hose, and have someone turn on/off the water. You can also use a long handled sponge and soap on a rope to avoid bending forward too much.

To safely get out of a tub using a transfer bench, follow these steps:

  1. Swing your legs out of the tub.
  2. Slide across towards the edge of the bench.
  3. Raise your body up with support from your upper body and walking aid.

To watch a video clip on how to safely get in and out of a bathtub using a transfer bench, please see below.  Please note that you may be prompted to install Microsoft's video software called Silverlight to view the video.

Washing Your Hair at the Sink

To safely wash your hair at the sink, follow these steps:

  1. Position yourself in front of a kitchen/bathroom sink.
  2. Place a towel around your neck to catch excess water.
  3. Lean forward over the sink without bending down too far into the sink (if you’ve had hip surgery, don’t bend past 90 degrees at the hip).
  4. Use a container or spray attachment to wet hair.
  5. Add shampoo.
  6. While supporting yourself with one hand, use the other hand to lather shampoo.
  7. Rinse your hair using a container or spray attachment.

To watch a video clip on how to safely wash your hair at the sink, please see below.  Please note that you may be prompted to install Microsoft's video software called Silverlight to view the video.