The safest way to prepare your stairs for after a hip or knee replacement is to make sure you can manage without them at first. That usually means a bed or bed-sized space downstairs, a toilet and washing facilities you can reach, and a sturdy handrail for the times you do need the stairs. This guide covers what to set up before surgery or before you come home, and how to get help with the cost. Your surgeon's and hospital team's instructions always come first.
If you are looking for the step-by-step technique, read our guide to navigating stairs safely after a hip or knee replacement. This article is about the home itself.
Think about the first two weeks
In the first days after surgery, your joint is sore and swollen, your muscles are weak and you are using a walking aid. Climbing stairs is possible for most people before they leave hospital, because the hospital team will usually check this, but it is tiring. Every trip up or down is a small risk.
Aim to reduce how often you use the stairs, not to avoid them completely. Practising stairs with good technique is part of recovery.
Option 1: Set up a ground-floor living space
If you can, create a base downstairs for the first week or two.
- A bed or a good-quality recliner. A firm, raised surface is easier to get out of. Our guide on sleeping positions after hip replacement covers pillow and position advice.
- A toilet downstairs. If there is not one, ask your occupational therapist about a commode or a raised toilet seat.
- Washing facilities. A strip wash at the kitchen sink is usually fine at first. Do not climb into a bath without advice.
- Everything within reach. Keep your phone, medicines, water, glasses, TV remote and snacks on a table at waist height.
If a downstairs bed is not possible, plan your day around the stairs so you go up and down as few times as you can.
Option 2: Make the stairs themselves safer
Handrails
A secure handrail is the single most useful change.
- A rail on both sides, if you can. Many people find a hip or knee is weaker on one side and need support on the way up and down.
- Check it is firmly fixed. A wobbly bannister is worse than none. If it moves at all, get it fixed before surgery.
- Rails should run the full length, including past the top and bottom steps.
Lighting
- Put bright lights at the top and bottom, ideally with switches at both ends.
- Plug in night lights for the route to the toilet.
Surfaces and steps
- Remove rugs, loose carpet edges and anything stored on the steps.
- Make sure carpet is firmly fixed. Worn stair nosing and loose stair carpet are common causes of trips.
- Consider non-slip strips on bare wood or tiled steps.
Footwear
- Wear supportive shoes or slippers with a back and a non-slip sole. Do not use socks alone on the stairs, and avoid loose backless slippers.
Equipment worth considering
| Item | Why it helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Second handrail | More support on the weaker side | A tradesperson or handyperson can often fit one |
| Stair lift | Takes the effort out of stairs | Worth discussing with an occupational therapist if stairs will stay difficult |
| Perching stool or chair at top and bottom | A safe place to rest | Make sure it is stable and not on wheels |
| Bag or apron with pockets | Keeps both hands free | Never carry items while holding a walking aid |
| Second walking aid kept upstairs and downstairs | Avoids carrying | A simple and effective trick |
| Non-slip stair treads | Reduces slipping | Check they are fixed securely |
Your hospital team or a community occupational therapist can tell you which items you truly need. Some equipment may be loaned, and availability depends on your area.
Carrying things on the stairs
Do not carry items on stairs while you are recovering. Instead:
- Move things in stages. Place them on the step above or put them in a bag you can lift later.
- Ask family or friends to take things up or down.
- Leave duplicates, such as a phone charger or reading glasses, on both floors.
Help with the cost: grants and local support
If you need larger changes, such as a stair lift, through-floor lift, ramp or wet room, you may be able to get help.
- A Disabled Facilities Grant is a means-tested grant from your local council in England to help pay for adaptations that allow you to stay in your home. GOV.UK explains how it works. The maximum grant in England has been £30,000, but your council can confirm the current limit.
- You usually need an assessment by an occupational therapist first. Councils such as Birmingham and Solihull have pages that explain how to apply. Other West Midlands councils have similar information on their websites.
- Ask your hospital discharge team or your GP surgery whether a referral to an occupational therapist is possible before or after surgery.
Grants and council processes can take time, so start early if you know you will need adaptations.
A practical checklist
Before surgery or discharge:
- Check handrails are secure, and fit a second one if you can
- Fix lighting, stair carpet and clutter
- Set up a downstairs base, with a bed, toilet access and snacks
- Practise the stairs with your physiotherapist if your hospital offers it
- Plan who can help with shopping, laundry and meals for the first weeks
- Ask about equipment and any grant applications
When you are home:
- Use the stairs only when you need to, and always with a rail
- Go up with your stronger leg first and down with your operated leg first, as your physiotherapist teaches
- Take your time and rest at the top or bottom if you need to
- Do your exercises so your muscles get stronger
When to ask for help
Tell your surgical team or physiotherapist if you feel unsafe on the stairs, if pain is getting worse when you climb or if your leg gives way. If you fall, check yourself carefully. Call 999 or go to A&E if you cannot put weight on the leg, have severe pain, or the limb looks the wrong shape. Our guide on how to get up safely from a fall is worth reading in advance, especially if you live alone.
Want someone to check your home and stairs in person? Book a post-surgical home assessment. The cost is £90 for 60 minutes, and no GP referral is needed.
This guide is general information, not personal medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your surgeon and hospital team.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can help in the first week or two, because it reduces stair trips when you are tired and sore. It is not essential for everyone. Many people manage to sleep upstairs once they have practised stairs with their physiotherapist and have a secure rail.
Most people do not need a permanent stair lift. It may be worth considering if you have other mobility problems, long-term balance issues or very steep stairs. An occupational therapist can advise.
One secure handrail is the minimum. Two is better, so you can hold on whichever leg is leading. Ask your physiotherapist which side suits your recovery.
Possibly. Councils in England can offer Disabled Facilities Grants for adaptations such as stair lifts, ramps and wet rooms, depending on your needs and your finances. You usually need an occupational therapist's assessment first.
Many people manage stairs one step at a time before they leave hospital, and then move to a more normal pattern over the following weeks. The timing depends on your joint, strength and confidence, so follow your physiotherapist's advice.