Dressing

Dressing

After surgery, most patients find it difficult to perform simple tasks like putting on pants, socks and shoes. If needed, there are aids which are available that can make dressing an easier and safer task to perform. Some things you should consider when dressing:

  • Choose loose clothing if possible.
  • Sit on the side of the bed or on a firm chair.
  • Have your equipment near you (reacher, sock-aid, etc.).

Putting pants on with a reacher

Image of man putting on pants with a reacher
Clip the reacher to the waist band of the pants and lower pants to the floor.

Image of man putting on pants with a reacher
Dress your operated leg first.

Image of man putting on pants with a reacher
Pull your pants part way up using the reacher.

Image of man putting on pants with a reacher
Place your good leg in next.

Putting socks on with a sock aid

Pull sock over the sock aid.

Image of man putting on sock with a sock aid
Using straps, lower sock aid to the floor.

Image of man putting on sock with a sock aid
Gently slide your foot into the sock aid.

Image of man putting on sock with a sock aid
Use the straps to pull on the sock.

Image of man removing sock with a reacher
Use reacher to remove sock.

Putting shoes on with a long-handled shoehorn

Diagram of a man putting shoes on with a long-handled shoehorn
When in standing, place the long-handled shoehorn in your shoe.

Diagram of a man putting shoes on with a long-handled shoehorn
Slide your foot into the shoe.

You may also find elastic shoes laces would be helpful when tying up your shoes.