If your parent is recovering from hip or knee replacement surgery, they may need a stairlift -- temporarily during recovery, or permanently if the underlying condition makes stairs difficult long-term.
This is one of the situations where families often need to act quickly. If your parent is being discharged from hospital and cannot manage the stairs at home, time is critical.
Typical recovery timeline
After hip or knee replacement, most surgeons advise limiting stair use for the first 6-12 weeks. During this period:
- Your parent may be told to go up and down stairs only once a day
- They will need to lead with the non-operated leg going up, and the operated leg going down
- They may need someone with them every time they use the stairs
- Pain, stiffness, and reduced confidence are all common
Ask the surgeon or physiotherapist about their specific restrictions. Recovery varies significantly from person to person.
Temporary or permanent?
Temporary (rental)
If the surgery is expected to fully resolve the stair difficulty, a rental stairlift makes sense. Stairlift rental typically costs £10-£15 per week with a one-off installation fee of around £300-£500. Most rental agreements run for 3-12 months and the stairlift is removed at the end.
Rental is ideal when: the surgery is expected to restore full mobility, your parent was managing stairs before the operation, and this is a temporary recovery period.
Permanent (purchase)
If your parent had difficulty with stairs before the surgery, or if the replacement is due to advanced arthritis that will continue to affect other joints, a permanent stairlift may be the better investment. A new straight stairlift costs £1,800-£5,500 installed, and grants can cover the full cost.
Standing stairlifts after hip replacement
After hip replacement, your parent may not be able to bend at the hip enough to sit on a standard stairlift seat. A standing (perch) stairlift allows them to remain upright or lean against a support, avoiding the hip flexion that causes pain. Standing stairlifts start from around £2,000.
Getting a stairlift quickly after hospital discharge
If your parent is being discharged and cannot manage the stairs at home, here is what to do:
- Tell the hospital discharge team that stairs are a concern. They may be able to arrange an occupational therapist assessment before discharge.
- Contact the local council to request a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) assessment. Mention the hospital discharge -- some councils have a fast-track process.
- Contact stairlift companies directly for an urgent installation. Some companies can install a straight stairlift within 24-48 hours. Curved stairlifts take longer because the rail needs to be custom-made.
- Consider rental as an immediate solution, even if you plan to buy later.
What to do next
If your parent has surgery coming up, it is worth arranging the stairlift in advance so it is ready when they come home. If they are already recovering, we can help you find companies that offer urgent installation.