Why Putting On Socks Is Hard After Hip Replacement
After hip replacement surgery, bending your hip past 90 degrees can damage the new joint, and reaching down to your feet puts you right at that limit. Your surgical hip cannot cross the midline of your body either — that means you cannot bring one leg toward the other leg to help pull a sock on. For the first 6 to 12 weeks after surgery, you will need tools and techniques to dress your lower body without breaking these movement rules.
The good news is that putting on socks becomes possible again once you learn the right method. Most people return to dressing normally within 3 months, though your surgeon will tell you your specific timeline based on how your recovery is going.
Key Takeaways
- A sock aid — a plastic tube with handles and a slot for your foot — lets you pull socks on without bending your hip past 90 degrees or crossing your legs.
- Long-handled shoehorns and reacher tools cost $10 to $30 and work together with sock aids to dress your feet safely.
- Slip-on shoes, compression socks, and loose athletic socks are easier to manage than tight dress socks during recovery.
- Your physical therapist can show you the exact technique for your body and your surgeon's movement restrictions.
- Most people stop needing these tools within 6 to 12 weeks, though some keep them for convenience.
Getting a Sock Aid and Using It Correctly
A sock aid is a plastic or fabric tube, usually 24 to 30 inches long, with two handles at the top and a slot or opening at the bottom where your foot slides in. You can buy one at any medical supply store, online, or sometimes at a drugstore pharmacy for $15 to $35. Ask your surgeon's office or physical therapist if they have one you can borrow first — many do, and you may not need to buy one if your recovery is quick.
To use a sock aid: sit in a firm chair or on the edge of your bed with your back against something solid. Slide the sock onto the plastic tube so the heel sits in the slot at the bottom. Lower the tube toward your foot by keeping your surgical hip straight and your knee bent at about 90 degrees. Guide your foot into the sock opening, then pull the handles toward you to slide the sock up your leg. The tube does the bending for you.
The most common mistake is trying to bend forward at the waist to reach your foot. Do not do this — it puts your hip past the safe angle. Keep your back straight and let your arms do the work instead. If you cannot reach your foot even with the sock aid, ask your physical therapist for a longer one or a different technique.
Choosing Socks and Shoes That Work With Your Recovery
Not all socks are equally straightforward to put on after hip replacement. Compression socks — the tight medical kind — are hardest because they require a lot of pulling force. Save those for later in your recovery. Instead, wear loose athletic socks, crew socks, or diabetic socks, which slide on with less resistance and are forgiving if they bunch up slightly.
Slip-on shoes are your best friend during the first weeks. Loafers, slip-on sneakers, and clog-style shoes let you get your foot in without bending your hip or using your hands much. Lace-up shoes and tight shoes require more hip bending and foot manipulation. If you must wear lace-ups, use a long-handled shoehorn to guide your foot in without bending forward.
Avoid socks with grips or rubber dots on the bottom if you are using a sock aid — they stick to the plastic and make the sock harder to pull off the tube. Plain cotton or synthetic socks work best. Buy a few pairs in the same size so you always have clean ones ready.
Tools That Work Together With a Sock Aid
A sock aid works best when paired with other dressing tools. A long-handled shoehorn (18 to 26 inches) helps you guide your foot into a shoe without bending your hip or using your hands to hold the shoe. A reacher tool (26 to 32 inches) lets you pick up socks from the floor or pull pants up from your feet without bending. Together, these three tools — sock aid, shoehorn, and reacher — cover most of the dressing tasks that are hard after surgery.
You can buy a dressing kit that includes all three for $30 to $60, or buy them separately. Medical supply stores often have them, and they are widely available online. Your insurance may cover the cost if your surgeon writes an order for them, though this varies by plan. Ask your surgeon's office to check before you buy.
Keep these tools in one place — a basket by your bed or in your closet — so you do not have to search for them when you are getting dressed. The easier you make the routine, the less likely you are to rush and accidentally bend your hip too far.
Positions and Techniques to Keep Your Hip Safe
The safest position for dressing is sitting in a firm chair with armrests or on the edge of your bed with your back supported. Sit upright — do not lean back or slouch, because that can let your hip bend past 90 degrees without you realizing it. Keep both feet flat on the floor or a footstool.
When you put on the sock, keep your surgical leg straight in front of you or slightly to the side — never cross it over your other leg. If your surgeon said you cannot let your hip cross the midline, this is especially important. Bend only at the knee, not at the hip. Your physical therapist can show you exactly how far you can bend your hip safely; ask them to demonstrate with your leg so you know what 90 degrees feels like.
If you feel a pinch, sharp pain, or a sense that something is catching inside your hip, stop when ready. Do not push through it. Tell your surgeon or physical therapist what happened so they can check your movement and adjust your technique. Pain is a sign you are moving past your safe range.
When You Can Stop Using These Tools
Most people can start putting on socks without a sock aid around 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, once their surgeon clears them for greater movement. Some people need the tools for the full 12 weeks. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to try dressing without them — do not guess or rush this step, because re-injuring your hip early in recovery can set you back weeks.
Even after you stop needing them for safety, many people keep their sock aid and shoehorn because they are convenient. If you have arthritis in your other hip or knee, or if you straightforward prefer not to bend down, these tools can stay useful for years.
Your physical therapist will watch your movement during sessions and let you know when you are ready to dress normally. They may have you practice putting on socks in their office first so they can make sure your technique is safe before you do it at home alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put on socks without a sock aid if I am very careful?
Your surgeon's movement restrictions exist to protect your new hip joint during the healing phase. Bending past the safe angle — even once — can damage the repair. A sock aid costs $15 to $35 and takes 30 seconds to use. It is worth the investment to follow your surgeon's rules exactly for the first 6 to 12 weeks.
What if my sock aid does not fit my foot?
Sock aids come in standard sizes, but feet vary. If your foot is very large or very small, ask your physical therapist or surgeon's office for a different size or style. Some sock aids have wider slots, and some are longer or shorter. A medical supply store can help you find one that fits.
Can I wear compression socks right after surgery?
Compression socks are often prescribed after hip surgery to prevent blood clots, so yes — but putting them on is very difficult. Ask your surgeon or nurse for a compression sock aid, which is designed specifically for tight socks. Regular sock aids do not work well with compression socks because the fabric is too stiff.
What if I live alone and have no one to help me get dressed?
A sock aid, shoehorn, and reacher tool are designed exactly for this situation. These tools let you dress independently while following your movement restrictions. Your physical therapist can show you how to use them safely. If you are struggling, tell your surgeon — they can refer you to an occupational therapist who specializes in helping people dress after surgery.
Do I need to buy new socks, or can I use the ones I already have?
You can use socks you already own if they are loose and slide easily. Tight dress socks, compression socks, and socks with grips on the bottom are harder to put on with a sock aid. Buy a few pairs of loose athletic or crew socks for the recovery period — they are inexpensive and make dressing much easier.