Do You Need a Raised Toilet Seat After Hip Surgery?

A raised toilet seat increases the height of the toilet, helping keep your hips more open while sitting and standing. After hip surgery, surgeons and physical therapists often recommend avoiding deep hip bending, usually beyond 90 degrees, during early recovery to protect the healing joint and reduce the risk of dislocation. Raised toilet seats are commonly used during this stage to make movement safer, with the choice of equipment guided by surgical approach, mobility level, and your doctor’s advice.

Key Points

• Reduces bending at the hip
• Helps protect the surgical site
• Makes sitting and standing easier
• Supports balance and stability
• Useful in early recovery after surgery

A raised toilet seat works by increasing the height of the toilet, allowing your hips to stay more open when sitting and standing. After hip surgery, surgeons often advise avoiding deep hip bending to protect healing tissues, but a lower toilet can force the hip into a sharper angle, increasing pain or the risk of dislocation. By using a raised seat, patients can maintain a straighter hip angle and reduce strain on the joint. For this reason, many physical therapists and surgeons recommend a raised toilet seat until hip strength and flexibility improve.

How a Raised Toilet Seat Helps After Hip Surgery

A raised toilet seat can help with comfort and safety during the early phase of recovery. It lets you move with less strain and may reduce pain when sitting down or getting up. This added height also offers better stability, which is helpful if you have weakness or balance changes after surgery. Some seats come with arms or handles for extra support, which can help you push up or steady yourself as you stand. Options like the Clean Shield Elevated Toilet Seat by Bemis or The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat with Arms offer these features for safer bathroom use.

	Clean Shield Elevated Toilet Seat by BEMIS (Support Arms optional) View Product
	The Ultimate Raised Toilet Seat with Arms by Platinum Health View Product

Key Points

• Reduces hip bending that can stress healing tissues
• Offers better balance when sitting and rising
• Can include arms for upper-body support
• Helps with confidence during bathroom tasks
• Useful until hip strength improves

Using a raised toilet seat does not replace safe movement habits. You should continue following your surgeon’s or therapist’s instructions regarding hip precautions and activity limits. For many people, a raised toilet seat is a temporary tool that helps support safe movement. As strength and flexibility improve, it may no longer be needed, but always check with your care team before removing it.

Final Thoughts

A raised toilet seat can make bathroom use safer and more comfortable after hip surgery. It reduces deep hip bending, supports balance, and helps with easier standing and sitting. When choosing a seat, look for the right height, a secure fit, and optional arms if you need extra support. Always follow your health care provider’s guidance on hip precautions and mobility. Used correctly, a raised toilet seat can be a helpful part of early recovery.

Sources

1. Smith, T. O., Jepson, P., Beswick, A., Sands, G., Drummond, A., Davis, E. T., & Sackley, C. (2016). Assistive devices, hip precautions, environmental modifications and training to prevent dislocation and improve function after hip arthroplasty. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (7). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27374001/ 
2. Penn State Bone & Joint Institute. (n.d.). Do’s and don’ts after hip replacement. Penn State Health. Retrieved December 21, 2025, from https://www.boneandjoint.psu.edu/course/hip-replacement/recovery-after-surgery/dos-and-donts-after-hip
3. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. (2025). Total hip replacement: A guide to your rehabilitation (Publication No. LN003797). Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. https://flipbooks.leedsth.nhs.uk/LN003797.pdf Flipbooks