Using a Lift Chair During Recovery from Hip or Knee Replacement

Total hip and knee replacement surgeries are among the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures in Canada, with tens of thousands performed annually. The recovery period — typically several weeks to a few months — involves strict activity limitations and positioning precautions that make standard household furniture difficult or unsafe to use. A power lift recliner is one of the most commonly recommended home recovery aids for post-replacement patients.

Important: Always follow the specific positioning and activity guidelines provided by your surgeon and physiotherapist. The information in this article is general and educational — individual recovery protocols vary.

Why Standard Chairs Are Problematic Post-Surgery

After hip replacement:

Following hip replacement, most surgeons prescribe "hip precautions" — restrictions on hip flexion angle (typically not bending the hip beyond 90 degrees) and on crossing the midline. A low or deep seat requires the hip to flex significantly when sitting, risking dislocation of the new joint. A higher seat reduces the hip angle required.

After knee replacement:

Post-knee replacement, extending the leg fully and avoiding awkward bending positions is important in the early recovery phase. Additionally, swelling management — keeping the operated leg elevated — is a priority in the first weeks.

How a Lift Chair Helps

• Powered rising: Eliminates the need to push up from the armrests using the arms — a movement that requires trunk and hip flexion and can stress the surgical site. The motor does the work.
• Controlled lowering: Eases the user into the seated position slowly — avoiding the sudden drop onto a hard seat that jars the operated joint.
• Leg elevation: 3-position and infinite-position lift chairs with elevating footrests allow the operated leg to be raised — supporting swelling reduction per post-surgical protocol.
• Adjustable seat height: A lift chair's seated height is typically higher than a standard sofa — reducing the hip flexion angle required for sitting, which aligns with hip precaution requirements.

What to Confirm with Your Surgical Team

Before selecting a lift chair for post-replacement recovery, ask your surgeon or occupational therapist:

• What is the minimum safe seated height for your specific hip precautions?
• Is leg elevation recommended in the early recovery phase?
• Are there restrictions on reclining angle that affect lift chair position choice?

Your answers will help determine whether a 2-position, 3-position, or infinite-position model is most appropriate. Many occupational therapists working in Canadian hospital discharge planning recommend patients have a lift chair arranged before they return home from surgery.

Browse lift chairs at Factory Direct Medical, or call 1-855-235-2400 to speak with a specialist about post-surgical selection.

Frequently Asked Questions