Dressing with Adaptive Equipment

Dressing tasks can be difficult to manage following total hip or total knee surgery, especially if joint stiffness, pain, or movement restrictions are in place.

This video will demonstrate how adaptive equipment can help you be more independent with putting on pants, socks, and shoes.

Reacher

A reacher is a tool that helps extend your reach toward the floor. You may use it to pick up dropped items or to help get pants over your feet.

Squeeze the trigger to close the pincher, then release the trigger to let go.

To put on pants with a reacher, clamp the pincher onto the waistband of your pants near the surgical side. Extend the reacher and pants toward the floor, then pull the pants over your surgical leg.

As you pull the waistband higher, you can release the reacher when your other hand can comfortably grasp the pants. Continue pulling the pants onto your surgical leg, then place your other leg into the pants.

Wait to stand until you have your socks and shoes on.

Dressing Stick

A dressing stick is another tool, similar to a reacher, that can assist with getting pants on or off. A dressing stick can also be used to help push socks or shoes off.

You can use a dressing stick to put on pants with a technique similar to using a reacher. The difference is that you will use the hook to pull the pants up.

Some people like to use a dressing stick and a reacher together. The dressing stick can help hold the pants open while the reacher grasps the fabric.

Sock Aid

A sock aid helps slide socks over your feet more easily.

Hold the sock aid in your lap with the cords close to you. Pull the sock onto the device, making sure to pull the entire sock all the way over the end. This will help ensure you get a snug fit on your foot.

Place the sock aid in front of your foot and slip your toes inside. Grasp the cords and pull the device onto your foot until it slips out of the sock.

Shoe Horn

Use your reacher to place the shoe in front of you. You may also use the reacher to position the shoe over your toes.

Place the shoe horn at the heel of your shoe and keep it angled from the inside of your leg if possible.

Slide your foot into your shoe and use your reacher to adjust the tongue if necessary.

Standing Up

Now you are ready to stand and pull up your pants.

Push up from the chair to your walker. Make sure you have your balance, then carefully pull your pants up. You may pull up one side at a time if you need the walker to maintain your balance.