Practical advice on hip osteoarthritis

Household chores
 

Sweeping (dustpan and brush):
To avoid bending or squatting, favour a dustpan and a brush fitted with a long handle to avoid overtaxing your hips.

You can then sweep-up the dirt while respecting the well-being of your hip.

Window cleaning:
For cleaning windows you can use a squeegee with a telescopic handle. This will help you avoid straining to reach the top of the windows and thus putting too much stress on your hip.

In addition, to make it easier to handle, consider adding a foam sleeve to your squeegee. This will avoid tensing the joints of your hand too much.

A steam device can also be an effective solution.

Hoovering:
We recommend using a cylinder vacuum cleaner rather than an upright vacuum cleaner. It is lighter and more manageable, it requires less effort and thus puts less stress on your joints.

Carrying buckets:
Buckets are often heavy and therefore difficult to carry.

To avoid lifting it, slide the bucket onto a tray on wheels using your foot to push it along. This will avoid putting pressure on your hip.

You can also find buckets equipped with wheels in the shops.

This system can also be used for plant pots.

Mopping the floor:
To put an end to the repetitive kneeling that hurts your hip, you should choose a mop and mop bucket with a squeezer system. These accessories allow you to wring out without bending down.

Cooking:

Cupboards:
Choosing suitable places for objects in cupboards can help to reduce your daily difficulties by avoiding painful movements of your hips. Thus, heavy items and those that you use frequently should not be stored either too high up or too low down.

Lastly, to reach the highest shelves, you can use a lightweight stepping stool (but be careful not to fall off). If you do not feel comfortable with this, there are gripper devices that grab hold of any kind of object without any difficulty either from a high or low shelf (Long handle equipped with a magnetised jaw at the end)

Personal hygiene:

Showers:

If a standing position hurts you for taking your shower and prevents you from enjoying this moment of relaxation, you can place a small stool or folding seat and sit down to relieve your back. There are also grab rails that can help to support you while standing or help you to get up.

Baths:

Several precautions must be taken when using your bathtub. First of all you can equip it with a special handle to help you get in or a grab rail to help you straighten up. Installing a non-slip mat can also save you from slipping.

Wash mitts:

Using a sponge or brush equipped with a long handle will enable you to wash the various parts of your body without too much bending, and therefore avoid overtaxing your hips.

Making your bed:

Choosing a bed:

People who have difficulty getting up should choose a high bed frame. If this is not sufficient, you can put bed raisers under your bed. (Sold in medical supplies shops).

Two tips can help you make your bed. First of all, avoid placing your bed against the wall. You will not have to move it to make it.

Sitting down and standing up:

So you can easily get out of seats, look for chairs with armrests and a straight back (Useful for getting up)

You can also place bed raisers under the feet of your armchairs, to help you to sit down and stand up.

DIY tasks:

Carpenter belt: (check that it is in the right position on the hip)

It allows you to always have your tools handy and saves you from constantly bending down and getting up again.

Painting:

There are telescopic brushes that can help you reach higher or lower areas without having to bend down or stand on steps.

Unclogging the sink:

To reach the sink trap, it is best to lie flat on your back under your work surface. This prevents staying crouched too long and thus straining your hip. But remember beforehand to take your tools with you.

Gardening:

Choose long-handled garden tools; the position and movement will be easier and your hips will be less stressed.

Taps, handles, keys, plugs and switches

Plug points:

If possible, place your plug points at eye level, it will save you from bending down to plug in your equipment.

Getting dressed:

Sit down to put on your trousers or socks as you will have better balance. If you have problems you can use a hosiery aid or a sock aid.

You can also use a long handled shoe horn.

Your choice of shoes is important. Avoid wearing high narrow heels that impose strong constraints on your hips. Choose good quality shoes that can absorb shocks, or equip them cushioned insoles.

Luggage:

Suitcases or travel bags:
Suitcases or travel bags: When you carry luggage, avoid at all costs leaning to one side or the other. Balance yourself by carrying a bag or suitcase on either side.

Whenever possible use luggage trolleys or use wheeled luggage, but remember to switch arms so as not to strain your shoulder.

Canes:
Do not hesitate to take a cane when out and about as it can greatly relieve you and give you the opportunity to walk for longer.

However, you must choose your cane carefully. The height is important. The handle should reach halfway up your thigh. In addition, you should always place it on the opposite side to the pain.

Shopping bags:

As for luggage, it is better for your spine and your hip to balance the weight by taking two bags instead of one. If you can, replace your bag for shopping carts on wheels, but do not always pull it on the same side to save your shoulder. You can also choose a backpack on condition of not overloading it. Lastly, the simplest solution is home delivery; many retailers now offer this service.