If you’re about to undergo a hip or knee surgery, your doctor has probably already warned that recovery will take at least 3 months.

After surgery, it is normal to have problems like limited mobility and strain that accompanies everyday tasks, like sitting down, getting up, or going to the toilet.

A suitable hip chair will make life much easier and also eliminate the risk of falling, until you regain your mobility and confidence.

Here’s my recommended list of hip chairs available on the market.

Best Ergonomic Hip Chair

Platinum Health Apex Premium Padded Hip Chair

The Apex chair comes with a design that is tailored for people who have had knee or hip surgery and wish to minimize their hip or knee flexion when standing up or sitting down.

Adjustability

This US-made hip chair boasts a highly adjustable seat. The lowest seat height is 23’’ and you can adjust it up to 27.5’’ from the ground.

Most patients begin with a taller seat height and gradually decrease it as their hip or knee flexion returns.

The seat is made with padded foam and can be tilted up to 13 degrees plus you can push the front of the seat lower than the back to allow easier access when getting up or sitting down.

The backrest and the armrests are padded as well, and the armrests can be removed for your convenience.

Design

The Apex chair is also safe to use in the shower since the polyurethane foam will not absorb any water and the aluminum frame is rustproof.

Unlike plastic chairs that are tough and feel cold, the Apex seat feels warmer on your skin.

The only thing that needs some improvement is the confusing instructions for assembly that come with the chair, although it is fairly easy to assemble.

What We Like

• Sturdy and reliable.
• Height adjustable.
• Comfortable.

What We Don’t Like

• Poor assembly instructions.

Second Favorite Hip Chair

Lumex Everyday Adjustable Hip Chair

The Lumex hip chair isn’t the best looking chair on the market, but if you’re going for function before style, this one will get the job done.

We included it on the list because it assists hip and knee patients, but this chair can also help people suffering from arthritis.

Design

It is extremely well-built and has a pretty high weight capacity of 350 lbs. Most customers actually think it could hold 1000 lbs if needed.

On the negative side, the Lumex chair is quite heavy so you would need someone to help you move it around the house. Some people have solved this problem by drilling holes on the rear legs and placing wheels for mobility.

The seat and backrest are cushioned with a thick density foam that most people find comfortable, and the height of the seat is 27’’.

The footrest will be very helpful for patients that can’t have their legs dangling around, and they can remove it if needed.

The assembly is straightforward as well, just insert a couple of screws and you’ll be good to go.

What We Like

• High weight capacity.
• Stable and sturdy.
• Added footrest.

What We Don’t Like

• Heavy to move around.

Ideal Chair For Bath & Shower

The Hip Solution Bath and Shower Transfer Bench

The Hip Solution transfer bench was created by health experts who wanted to deliver an effortless solution for transferring patients for bathing.

Adjustability

This chair is definitely convenient for people with reduced mobility, considering the seat slides side to side, swivels, and rotates for easier access to the bathtub.

The armrests can be pivoted once you’re ready to get in or out of the bathtub, and they can be adjusted for width.

You have 2’’ of wiggle space between the 17’’ to 19’’ width adjustable armrests and you’ll be able to adjust the height of the Hip Solution chair at 0.5’’ increments.

Design

The padding on this chair is very much like the Apex chair, it’s made of polyurethane foam with closed cells that are warm on the skin and don’t absorb water.

The added seat belt contributes to user safety and is a brilliant addition to the chair.

The only thing some customers didn’t like is the length of the horizontal track (12’’) that isn’t long enough for certain bathtubs.

What We Like

• Safety strap.
• Ease of access and handling.
• Adjustable and durable.

What We Don’t Like

• Horizontal travel might be short.

Best Value Hip Chair

DMI Rolling Shower & Commode Transport Chair

The DMI rolling transport chair is well suited for people that need help getting to the shower or the toilet. The 4’’ wheels can be locked in place and perform well, even on thick carpets.

Design

The seat is padded and will provide better comfort for patients that own a standard toilet and need a commode chair.

The backrest is made with PVC and doesn’t do much in terms of comfort, but then again the chair was designed to be used as a means of transport.

This entire chair is 22’’ wide, so you’ll also need to check your door width before making a purchase.

The things we don’t like on this model is the color because white blends with the background in most showers, and the static armrests which could make transfers tricky.

Judging by customer experiences, this chair is tailored for taller people.

What We Like

• Wheels perform well.
• Easy access to the toilet.

What We Don’t Like

• Static armrests.
• Uncomfortable backrest.

Best Support Cushion

Roho Mosaic Hip Cushion

If you feel you need more comfort from your hip chair, Roho Mosaic might be one of the best options on the market. It is extremely comfortable and can be adjusted to fit all body types.

Design

The best part about this cushion is the anatomically designed air cells that adjust as you change your seating position. You can deflate it to your liking and get that sink-in comfort when needed.

The material itself is incredibly strong and should accommodate people up to 315 lbs.

In the box, you get a repair kit, a hand pump, and a smooth cover. It is not waterproof, but the cover is machine-washable.

The Roho Mosaic comes with a higher price tag, but customers agree that it’s absolutely worth it!

What We Like

• Adjustable for your comfort.
• Versatile uses.

What We Don’t Like

• Higher price range.

Other Recommended Chairs

Drive Medical Deluxe Hip High Chair

The Drive Medical deluxe hip chair looks wonderful and feels comfortable. Most people end up using it for many years after their surgery because they enjoy sitting on it.

The seat and backrest are both soft and water-resistant and the chair even has a footrest for patients that need this commodity.

The only drawback would be the static armrests. Most customers can’t understand why the company would make such an amazing design but omit this important thing.

This deluxe chair has a durable steel frame that will last you a long time, and it will hold users up to 300 lbs.

Vaunn Medical Tool-Free Assembly Shower Lift Chair

The Vaunn shower chair is a lightweight everyday chair that weighs only 8 lbs. It was made for patients that have limited mobility but can sit up on their own.

The aluminum frame will hold people weighing up to 250 lbs and it can be used in any shower or in a bathtub that is wider than 17.5’’.

The seat and backrest are not padded, but considering their purpose, this is not a problem. The armrests are padded and will provide an easy grip when getting up or sitting down.

The legs of the Vaunn chair are height adjustable and the assembly is tool-free.

Stander EZ Stand-N-Go Adjustable Mobility Aid

The EZ mobility aid was made for people that are reluctant to replace their favorite chair, but still need help to get up.

It is basically powder-coated steel bars that can be placed either underneath or around your sofa cushion.

This mobility aid is highly adjustable to fit most needs. The width can be adjusted from 19’’ to 26’’; the legs go up to 21’’ from the floor, and the armrests go up to 32’’ from the floor.

This ‘chair cane’ is very sturdy once in place and definitely delivers on its promise. It will accommodate most chairs, couches or recliners and its weight capacity is 300 lbs.

All the tools necessary for assembly come with the package.

EagleHealth Bariatric Shower Chair

The EagleHealth bariatric shower chair was made to accommodate heavier users that need an extra-wide seat and a sturdy frame to support them.

The legs are height adjustable allowing you to lift the seat up to 23.25’’.

The seat itself is 18.5’’ wide, which adds to the comfort but also to the overall width (25.5’’) of the chair, meaning it won’t fit in a standard bathtub.

Make sure you measure your space before making this purchase because once opened the Bariatric chair cannot be returned.

This is definitely the strongest chair on our list with a whopping weight capacity of 500 lbs.

The seat and the backrest are made of plastic, and the backrest is removable. Most customers agree that this is a sturdy chair that makes them feel safe and confident.

What Are Hip Chairs

Hip chairs were designed to assist people with fragile hips or knees pre-surgery or while they are rehabilitating. They are also used by the elderly on a daily basis.

They work by offering the user a taller seat that reduces the strain felt by getting up or sitting down.

Some hip chairs, like the Platinum Health Apex Premium Padded Hip Chair, come with a seat that can be tilted to allow for even easier access.

Others were made to be used in a bathtub, under the shower, or as a commode option. The most important features to look for are stability, comfort, and durability.

The benefits of increased mobility will be felt both by the user and the caregiver.

Who Needs A Hip Chair

A Hip chair is widely used by patients that wish to have a shorter and more comfortable recovery period after their hip or knee replacement surgery.

It is also used by elderly people who have decreased mobility and wish to regain their freedom and mobility.

Everyday tasks, like going to take a shower can be very strenuous for a recovering patient and their caregiver.

Using a mobility aid such as a hip chair will offer more safety for the user and it will make the caregiver’s job a lot easier.

How To Sit After Surgery

The post-surgery experience varies from case to case and from person to person, but there are some general tips on how to sit after surgery that should be taken into account by all patients.

• Have a sturdy chair with a firm seat and ergonomic armrests for support.
• Use a higher seat that won’t exert too much strength when getting up or sitting down. This allows your joints to heal faster and prevent any additional injuries.
• Avoid using low chairs, sofas, and couches while you’re rehabilitating.
• Avoid using rocking chairs.

Other Post Surgery Tips

Aside from using a hip chair, there are other things you can do to make sure your healing process goes smoothly:

Take short walks

During the first couple of walks, you might need someone with you. If you’re living alone, have your cell phone with you in case you need to call anyone for assistance.

Use your mobility aids

This is especially crucial for the beginning of the healing process. Some patients go too fast too soon and end up hurting themselves further.

A good quality wheelchair can also help if you’re too weak to walk but need to regain your mobility faster.

Exercise daily, but with caution

Most doctors will recommend certain types of exercises you must perform daily. This might be the hardest part for some patients, but it will pay off in the long run.

The more you exercise, the better your chances are of making a full recovery. If the exercises make you feel sore, try taking your pain medications at least 30 minutes beforehand.

Get a shower chair

This is extremely important because you won’t be able to sit in a bathtub or stand in a shower for at least 3 months, and most accidents happen in the bathroom.

Avoid doing laundry yourself

This is mainly because of the heavy loads you’ll have to carry around (that you shouldn’t).

Either have someone do it for you or do smaller loads at a time.