After a hip or knee replacement, climbing in and out of a traditional high-sided bath is difficult and carries a fall risk, so surgeons usually recommend showering or using aids while you recover. The strict advice not to bend the hip past 90 degrees is temporary, commonly around six weeks and longer for some people, but the practical problem of a high bath rim can last much longer. A low, step-through entry removes that hurdle. UDOOR fits a watertight door into your existing bath so you can wash safely without lifting your legs over the side.
Can you use a bath after a hip or knee replacement?
Not easily at first. In the early weeks you should not soak the wound until it has healed, usually at least a couple of weeks, and you should avoid deep bending of the hip. Getting down into and up out of a normal bath is hard and unsafe during this time, so most people shower, often seated, with grab rails or a bench. Always follow your own surgeon's advice, as timelines vary.
How long do the restrictions last?
The strict precautions, such as not bending the hip beyond 90 degrees, are usually for the first six weeks, longer for some people, and depend on your operation and your surgeon. They are not lifelong. What often lasts longer is the everyday difficulty of climbing over a high bath rim, which is why many people look for a lower, safer way in even after they have recovered.
Why is a traditional bath a problem?
A standard bath has a high side and a curved, slippery base. Slippery surfaces and awkward movements can increase the risk of falls in the bathroom (Steady On Your Feet, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough), and after a hip replacement the strict precautions usually apply for about the first six weeks, longer for some people. Aids like a bath board or a lift help, but you still cross the rim to reach them.
How a bathtub door conversion helps
A UDOOR conversion adds a watertight door to the side of your existing bath, so you step through a low opening instead of over the rim. There is no high side to lift over and no lowering yourself to the floor of the tub. It fits in one day, keeps your bathroom as it is, and lets you shower or bathe as your recovery allows. During joint replacement recovery a bathtub door removes the high rim, the same barrier a walk-in bath or walk-in shower is chosen for, so after a hip replacement the way in stays manageable.
Is it safe and does it last?
The door is tested to 20,000 open-close cycles and carries a 10-year guarantee, and we are a BHTA member. The low threshold and wide opening are designed for steady, unhurried entry, which is what you want while a joint is healing and afterwards.
When can I have a conversion fitted?
There is no need to wait to plan it. Many families arrange a conversion during recovery so a safe bathroom is ready when it is needed most. Fitting takes a day and does not disrupt the rest of the bathroom. If you have a long-term condition, 0% VAT relief may apply.
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