The safest way to get into bed after hip replacement

Getting into bed after hip replacement requires you to keep your hip in a safe position while you lower yourself down. The key is to move slowly, lead with your unaffected leg, and use your arms and a bed rail or sturdy furniture to control your descent. Most people can return to bed within days of surgery, but the method changes as you heal—what works at two weeks will not work at six weeks, and forcing the motion too early is the most common reason people delay their recovery.

Your surgeon or physical therapist will show you the specific technique before you leave the hospital, but the basic steps remain the same: sit on the edge of the bed, scoot backward while keeping your surgical hip straight, lower yourself onto your elbows, and then lie back. The entire motion should take 10 to 15 seconds. Rushing or bending your hip past 90 degrees can tear the repair and set you back weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Always sit on the edge of the bed first, then scoot backward before lowering yourself—never step backward or twist your torso.
  • Keep your surgical hip straight (no bending past 90 degrees) throughout the entire motion, even after you feel better.
  • Use a bed rail, trapeze bar, or sturdy nightstand to support your weight with your arms as you lower yourself down.
  • Place a pillow between your knees at night to prevent your legs from crossing and rotating your hip inward.
  • If you cannot sit up or get out of bed without pain or a popping sensation, stop and call your surgeon before trying again.

The step-by-step motion for the first six weeks

In the first two to three weeks after surgery, your hip is still swollen and weak. Use a walker or crutches to move to the bed, then follow this sequence: stand facing the side of the bed with your walker or crutches within arm's reach. Reach back with both hands and touch the edge of the mattress to confirm where it is.

Bend your unaffected leg slightly and lower yourself onto the mattress by pushing down with your hands. Your surgical leg should stay straight and extended in front of you as you sit. Once you are seated, place both hands behind you on the mattress and scoot your hips backward toward the headboard, one small movement at a time. Keep your surgical leg straight and let it slide across the mattress as you move back.

When your hips are far enough back that your torso can lie flat, lower yourself onto your elbows, then slowly lie back onto the pillows. The motion should feel controlled, not rushed. If you feel a sharp pain or a popping sensation, stop when ready and sit back up. This is a sign you have bent your hip too far or twisted it.

Weeks six to twelve: using less support

After six weeks, your surgeon may clear you to bend your hip past 90 degrees during daily activities, but getting into bed still requires the same careful motion. The difference is that you may no longer need a walker or crutches to reach the bed, and you can use less arm support as you lower yourself.

At this stage, you can stand next to the bed, place one hand on the mattress or a nightstand, and sit down more naturally. Your surgical leg can bend slightly as you sit, but keep the motion slow and controlled. Once seated, you still scoot backward before lying down—do not try to swing your legs up onto the mattress or pivot your body. These motions can still strain the repair.

Continue to use a pillow between your knees when you sleep. This prevents your legs from crossing in the night, which can rotate your hip inward and stress the repair even while you are asleep. Many people forget this step and wake up with increased pain or stiffness.

What to avoid at every stage of recovery

Do not bend your hip past 90 degrees in the first six weeks. This means no bending forward to pick things up, no crossing your legs, and no sitting in low chairs or on soft couches that let your hips sink below knee level. If you cannot see your knee without bending forward, the chair is too low.

Do not twist or rotate your hip. Twisting happens when you turn your torso while your feet stay planted, or when you swing your legs to the side as you get into bed. Both motions can tear the repair. Always move your whole body as one unit—if you need to turn, move your feet first, then your torso.

Do not sleep on your surgical side for at least six weeks. Sleeping on that side puts pressure on the repair and can cause the hip to rotate inward. Sleep on your back or on your unaffected side, with a pillow between your knees in both positions.

Do not rush the motion or skip steps because you feel better. Pain is not always a reliable signal in the first few weeks—some people feel much better at week three but are still at high risk of re-injury. Follow the timeline your surgeon gave you, not how you feel.

Setting up your bedroom to make getting into bed easier

A bed rail bolted to the frame gives you something sturdy to grip as you lower yourself. If you do not have a rail, a trapeze bar (a horizontal bar that hangs from the ceiling above the bed) lets you pull yourself up and control your descent without putting weight on your surgical leg. Both are worth the cost if you live alone or have a partner who cannot help you.

Raise the height of your mattress if possible. A higher bed means you do not have to lower yourself as far, which reduces the strain on your hip. You can use a bed wedge, a foam riser under each leg, or a mattress topper to add 4 to 6 inches. Even this small change makes the motion easier and safer in the first weeks.

Keep a sturdy nightstand or dresser next to the bed so you have something to hold onto as you sit down. Make sure it is stable and will not tip if you put your full weight on it. A wobbly piece of furniture can cause you to fall or twist your hip as you catch yourself.

Place a pillow between your knees before you get into bed, so it is already there when you lie down. This prevents you from having to adjust it after you are lying flat, which requires movement and concentration when you are tired.

Getting out of bed: the reverse motion

Getting out of bed is the reverse of getting in. Start by rolling onto your unaffected side while keeping your surgical leg straight. Push yourself up onto your elbows, then onto your hands. Scoot your hips toward the edge of the mattress while keeping your surgical leg extended. Once your feet touch the floor, push down with your hands and stand up slowly, leading with your unaffected leg.

Use a walker or crutches to steady yourself as you stand. Do not try to stand without support, even if you feel strong. Your balance is still off after surgery, and a fall can cause serious injury. Have your walker or crutches within arm's reach before you start the motion.

The entire motion should take 15 to 20 seconds. If you feel dizzy or weak, sit back down and wait a minute before trying again. Dizziness is common after lying down for a long time and does not mean something is wrong—it just means you need to move more slowly.

When to call your surgeon

Call your surgeon if you hear a popping or clicking sound in your hip when you get into or out of bed, especially if it is followed by pain or swelling. This can mean the repair has shifted. Also call if you suddenly cannot bend or straighten your hip, or if pain gets worse instead of better over the course of a week.

If you fall or twist your hip, call your surgeon even if you do not feel when ready pain. Some injuries do not hurt right away but cause problems days later. Your surgeon may want to see you for an X-ray to make sure the repair is still in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a regular bed or do I need a special one?

A regular bed works fine. The only adjustment that helps is raising the height with risers or a wedge so you do not have to lower yourself as far. A bed rail or trapeze bar attached to a regular frame gives you the support you need to control the motion safely.

How long do I have to keep a pillow between my knees?

Most surgeons recommend keeping the pillow between your knees for at least six weeks, and some say to continue it for three months. Ask your surgeon at your follow-up visit when you can stop. Even after you get clearance, many people find it helps prevent stiffness and keeps them comfortable.

What if I cannot get into bed without help?

Ask a family member or friend to stand next to you and hold your arm for balance as you sit down and scoot back. They should not lift you or support your surgical leg—just steady your upper body. If you live alone and have no one to help, a physical therapist can show you adaptive techniques or recommend equipment like a bed rail or trapeze bar.

Is it normal to feel stiff when I first get into bed?

Yes. Your hip tightens up after surgery, especially at night. Stiffness usually improves within the first few weeks as you move more and do your physical therapy exercises. If stiffness gets worse or you cannot move your hip at all, call your surgeon.

Can I sleep in any position or do I have to stay on my back?

You can sleep on your back or on your unaffected side, with a pillow between your knees in both positions. Do not sleep on your surgical side for at least six weeks. After six weeks, ask your surgeon whether it is safe to try sleeping on your surgical side.