Arthritis Osteoarthritis Support & Coping What Items Are in a Hip Kit? 6 tools to aid with hip replacement surgery recovery By Carol Eustice Carol Eustice LinkedIn Twitter Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 27, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by David Ozeri, MD Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD LinkedIn David Ozeri, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist from Tel Aviv, Israel specializing in arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and biologic therapies. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Print A hip kit is a six-piece set of tools that can assist you with daily tasks as you recover from hip replacement surgery. They include a: Sock aidReacherLong-handled shoehornBath spongeDressing stickSet of elastic shoelaces These tools can help you perform activities like getting dressed and picking things up off the floor. A hip kit can make it easier to follow hip precautions and adjust to your limited mobility following a hip replacement surgery. Henfaes / Getty Images Precautions After Hip Replacement During total hip replacement surgery, a prosthesis is surgically implanted to replace the damaged hip joint. A traditional hip prosthesis has three parts: Plastic cup that replaces the hip socket or acetabulumMetal ball that replaces the femoral headMetal stem that is placed in the shaft of the femur To prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis after surgery, you must follow certain precautions recommended by your healthcare team. For example, certain movements are restricted, such as: Crossing your legsBending too far forward (beyond 90 degrees) A physical therapist or an occupational therapist will teach you more about them and make recommendations for continuing with usual activities while being mindful of the necessary restrictions. Some assistive devices and tools can help with this, and that is where a hip kit comes in. Items in a Hip Kit You can buy a complete hip kit from a medical supply store, drugstore, or your local pharmacy. A kit typically costs around $30, but the price can range between from $12 and $60. You can also purchase items individually and make your own hip kit, if you prefer. Some hip kits may not contain all six items, perhaps to keep the cost down. When purchasing a hip kit, look carefully at what it contains. Sock Aid A sock aid is designed to help you put on your socks without bending over to reach your feet. The sock aid has two main parts: A flexible or semi-flexible part that the sock slips overTwo long handles so you can drop the sock part to the floor, slide your foot into the sock opening, and pull onto your foot Dressing Stick A dressing stick is a lightweight, thin rod with hooks at each end. The stick is about 27 inches long to help you get dressed without bending or reaching for your clothes. The hook at one end helps you pull up pants or pick clothes up from the floor. The opposite end has a smaller hook that can be used to pull up zippers. Reacher A reacher is an assistive device that allows a person to reach or pick up objects that otherwise would be difficult to grasp without bending or extending the body. The device is often available in lengths ranging from 24 inches to 32 inches. One end of the reacher is usually a pistol-style handle. The other end is a claw that is triggered to latch onto an object. Shoehorn The shoehorn found in a hip kit is an extended version of a normal shoehorn. These shoehorns can range from 18 inches to 32 inches. The extended length allows a person to slip on shoes without bending over. Long-Handled Bath Sponge A long-handled bath sponge is an assistive device that allows a person who is showering to reach their feet, back, or other body parts without over-extending or bending. The long handle is usually plastic and approximately 2 feet long with a bath sponge attached. Elastic Shoelaces Elastic shoelaces are a great solution for people who want to continue wearing their tie shoes but are limited in their ability to bend down to tie them. The elastic shoelaces are stretchable. This allows you to wear tie shoes as if they were slip-on shoes. The shoes stay laced and you slip the shoes on and off. Other Assistive Devices There are other assistive devices that will help you tremendously during the time that you must follow hip precautions. For example: Walking aids, such as a walker, cane, or crutches.Raised toilet seat: This is a 2-inch to 5-inch plastic seat that allows you to sit higher on the toilet, making it easier to sit down and get up.Safety bars in the bathroomNon-slip mats in certain areas, such as inside and outside the bathtub Your healthcare provider can provide you with a list of ways to prepare your home before surgery. Prepare Your Home (And Your Mind) for Hip Replacement Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn tips for managing arthrits pain, medications, and daily challenges. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. MedlinePlus. Hip joint replacement. Kaiser Permanente. Total hip replacement patient handbook. Additional Reading Inpatient Surgery. FastStats. National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 16, 2012.