A promotional graphic demonstrating a car transfer technique after hip replacement. On the right, a woman uses a walker for support as she exits a car, wearing a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. On the left, bold white text on a blue background reads, "Car Transfer After Hip Replacement." The image emphasizes mobility assistance and safe practices for transitioning in and out of a vehicle post-surgery.

How to Get In and Out of the Car after Hip Replacement

Hip Replacement, Vehicle Medical Equipment / By

Getting in and out of a car after a hip replacement can feel like navigating an obstacle course. Ensuring you move safely and avoid unnecessary strain on your healing hip is essential for a smooth recovery. Whether you’re heading to a follow-up appointment or simply enjoying a short outing, using safe techniques for car entry and exit with the help of a walker can make all the difference.

In this guide, I’ll share my expert advice to keep you safe and confident during this crucial aspect of your rehabilitation journey.

If you prefer videos, I have a video all about this process below.

Please note: Before we begin, you need to make sure you follow all the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer.  The steps below are only to provide guidance with installing or assembling equipment, but you should always follow the warnings and instructions provided by the manufacturer and always speak with your medical team before adding new equipment to your routine.

Which Cars are Best After a Car Hip Replacement?

The best-case scenario is to use a vehicle that is a little bit taller. A taller vehicle rides a little bit higher than traditional sedans, which tend to be low to the ground and difficult to get in and out of safely following a hip replacement. Most trucks and SUVs have a slightly higher seat level, which is nice if you’re trying to keep a greater than 90-degree angle on your surgically-repaired hip as you do your transfer. The car I will be demonstrating on is a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. I find their height to be very comfortable. I’m about five feet and four inches (1.65 meters), but it might be slightly low if you run on the taller side. For the most part, this is a perfect height vehicle for this transfer.

How to Get Into a Car Following a Hip Replacement

OK, let’s go over how to get into a car following a hip replacement safely. During this transfer, you will need your walker with you. You are going to need a walker anyways for all mobility immediately following your hip replacement surgery both for stability and to help you to stay safe getting into and out of a car.

A lightweight, foldable walker with two front wheels and adjustable height settings. The walker features padded hand grips and a sturdy frame for enhanced stability and support. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement
Standard Walker for $42.99* on Amazon

Now, this is an important note. I will be using the passenger seat and I set it up to be slightly reclined. You want your seat to be a little reclined to keep your hip at a greater than 90 degrees throughout the process of getting in and out of the car. Have somebody set that up before you attempt to get in.

A close-up of a car seat with a black seatbelt extension device attached to the seatbelt mechanism. The seat features a textured black fabric with red stitching, and part of the car interior is visible, including the armrest and side panel. This setup highlights an adaptive seatbelt solution for improved accessibility or ease of use. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement
Our passenger seat is slightly reclined before I attempt to get in.

How to Approach the Vehicle

For demonstration purposes, I’m going to pretend that my right hip was my surgically repaired hip. I’m going to start by approaching the vehicle slowly and I’ll turn so that back is towards the vehicle and I’m facing away. I’m backing myself up to the seat.

A woman stands backed up to the passenger seat outside a car holding onto a walker for support. She is wearing a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. The car door is open, revealing part of the vehicle's interior. She is facing away from the car. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

I step backward carefully and slowly until I can feel the door frame on the backs of my legs. At that point, I’m going to stop and reach back. I do NOT want to twist and pivot on my foot, because that’s not good for the hip.

A woman uses a walker for support while reaching back to the car. She holds the car door frame with one hand and the walker with the other, demonstrating a safe technique for entering a vehicle with mobility assistance. She is wearing a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes, with the car door open and the interior partially visible. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

I will use my hand to reach back to ensure I know where that seat edge is. I can reach back with my second hand, if I feel stable enough, and find the seat behind me.

A woman gets into a car using a walker for support. She holds onto the car's door frame with one hand and steadies herself on the seat with the other. She is facing away from the car. Dressed in a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes, she demonstrates a safe method for enter a vehicle with mobility assistance. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

I’m going to continue to back myself so that my backside is now seated on the seat. My right hip is extended. I’m keeping the toe pointed, and the leg extended. Now, I’m going to duck my head underneath and begin sliding back.

A woman carefully steps into a car using a walker for balance and support. She holds the car's door frame with one hand while steadying herself on the seat with the other. She is looking out and ducking her head underneath the car door frame. Dressed in a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes, she demonstrates a safe method for vehicle exit with mobility assistance. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

Since my left leg was not my surgically altered leg, I can put that up on the running board and continue to push myself back.

A woman is getting into a car, using a walker positioned in front of her for support. Her right leg is straight while her left leg is pushing off the running board. Dressed in a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes, she demonstrates a careful method for transitioning into a vehicle with mobility assistance. The car door is open, showing part of the interior. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

What to Do If You Have a Leg Lifter

If you have a leg lifter, you could lasso your right foot and use the leg lifter to guide your leg around to into the vehicle. I’m going to use my right arm for support because I know my hip will be sore and challenging to pull. I continue to keep my hip angle greater than 90 degrees.

A leg lifter strap in use, with a person demonstrating how to lift their leg using the sturdy nylon loop. The individual is wearing a dark gray shirt, beige shorts, and gray sneakers. The strap features a large foot loop at the bottom and a hand loop at the top for easy grip, designed to assist individuals with limited mobility in moving their legs. A standalone view of the leg lifter strap is also shown to the left. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement
Leg Lifter for $9.99* on Amazon

I turn, and now you can see, I’m reclined on this seat so that when I lift my right foot over the edge of the door frame, I can do so without breaking my 90 degrees hip precaution.

A woman prepares to enter a car, sitting on the edge of the seat with one foot out of the vehicle and the other inside the vehicle. Her right arm is under her right leg. A walker is positioned in front of her for support. She is wearing a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. The car door is open, with the vehicle interior and dashboard partially visible, demonstrating mobility assistance during vehicle transitions. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement
A woman sits in the passenger's seat of a car with a walker positioned outside the open door. She is grabbing her right leg with her right arm. She is dressed in a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. The interior of the vehicle is visible, including the dashboard and steering wheel. The image illustrates a transition into or out of the car with the aid of mobility equipment. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

If you’re having a hard time scooting on the material that’s on your seat, adding a garbage bag to the seat will make it much more slippery and easier to scoot and twist on without having a lot of extra friction between your pants and the seat.

Getting Out of a Car After a Hip Replacement

Now, to get back out of the vehicle, we’ll gingerly lift that leg and use my left leg to help me pivot again.

A woman sits in the driver's seat of a car, preparing to exit. She is pivoting and using her right arm to lift her right leg gently. She is dressed in a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. A walker is positioned outside the open car door, ready for use. The interior of the vehicle, including the dashboard and steering wheel, is visible. The scene illustrates a careful transition using mobility aids. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

We could use the leg lifter here to drop it over the edge. With the handle on the door, I can use it to help with the turn, but you can see I’m still reclining.

A woman steps out of a car with the aid of a walker. She uses one hand to hold the car seat for balance and the other to hold the car frame. She is dressed in a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. The car door is open, revealing part of the vehicle's interior, and the walker is positioned for support during the transition. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

I’m pushing up from behind, and I’m going to get my feet near the ground. I’ll also find my walker and try to stand.

A woman carefully exits a car using a walker for stability. She places one foot on the ground and holds the car seat with one hand for support while positioning the walker in front of her. She is wearing a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. The car door is open, showing part of the interior, emphasizing safe mobility practices with assistive devices. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement
A woman stands outside a car using a walker for support. She has exited the vehicle and steadies herself with both hands on the walker. She is wearing a light gray long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and black slip-on shoes. The car door is open, revealing part of the interior, illustrating the use of a mobility aid for a safe and stable transition. How to Get In and Out of the Car After Hip Replacement

That’s it! There a couple of options for getting in and out of the car following a hip replacement surgery. Remember to be safe, follow your precautions and any instructions from your surgical team, and take it slow.

*all prices are at the time of publishing

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