RMS Deluxe 5 Piece Set Hip Kit – Ideal for Recovering from Hip Replacement, Knee or Back Surgery, Mobility Tool for Moving and Dressing (26 Inch Reacher)

Good value and some tips
I recently had hip replacement surgery. Doing some research, I discovered the Hip Kit, which led me here. This kit allows people to get dressed/undressed, pick things up, move things and generally make life easier when you have limited movement.It’s been over a month and things are progressing fairly well. Putting on socks and shoes, on the operated side is still difficult. So, the sock tube, reacher and dressing stick are great for getting socks on and off. The stick and reacher help me get my pants on, though I’m getting a little more flexible and can reach a little better, unaided.The shoes horn works great, but I don’t need it as much. It’s easy to use and has a little lanyard which is very handy.The Shower Sponge is pretty good.My only complaint is that the “S” hook on the dressing stick sometimes rotates. It is just screwed in, so if you go counter to the threads the hook will start to unthread. Other than that it’s super handy. I often use the C hook end to pull my socks on.The reacher/grabber is perfect for getting dressed. The serrations help grab clothing & socks. It has a magnet on the end which is great when I drop stuff. the reacher/grabber is definitely one of the most used items.Tips:Get this kit and try it out before your surgery. That way you will know how to use it and you will be able to get dressed/undressed faster and easier. Watch some YouTube vids on getting dressed that pertain to your specific surgery.If possible attend a class where they walk you through the process and tell you how to prep, what will happen and after care.Talk with your Dr. about after care, what to expect and what you might need. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Write them down and bring them with you. Ask about getting home equipment, like a commode and shower bench. I live in a large city and the hospital is very good. Through the social worker, I was able to arrange equipment delivery to my house the day before I was discharged. Commode: Your insurance should cover it. Sitting higher helps me, as a hip patient. Be sure to measure the width of area where it goes, to make sure it will fit. Make a blast shield for the front out of tin foil. Cling wrap works in a pinch. This prevents “shrapnel” from landing on your pants, etc. Get a Shower Bench. I live in an apartment, so I can’t install handles. This works pretty well. This was not covered by insurance, but was very handy and only $40. I’m far enough along that I can get in and out of the shower on my own, now.It may be a good idea to get a walker. When you are discharged after surgery, have whoever picks you up bring it.Kit useWhen getting dressed, have your clothing, the stick, sock tube, reacher and shoe horn with you.When using the Sock Tube, sometimes wiggling your foot inside and holding the end of the tube with your other foot helps get your foot in the sock. Keep tension on the two handles, while doing this, you still need to keep pulling the rest of the way. Sweaty feet tend to stick to the tube. Use the C hook on the stick, reacher and the pin sticking out of the top of the reacher to help pull the sock up to the ankle. There’s usually a little gap between the foot and the tube where the pin can go in and you can move it around and pull up and insert the grabber. Same with the C Hook. Use the pincher to grab and the C hook on the stick to pull up, especially when getting started. Use the tube handles to pull up. Use the pincher to pull up the sock the rest of the way. Find out how much bending you can do, pulling your socks up might be good stretching exercise.The pincher and stick are good for pulling up underwear and pants.The other hook that points down is good for pushing your socks, etc. down.Initially, it might be good to have the pincher clipped to your walker. If the clip won’t fit, try a couple of thick rubber bands, or a chunk of double sided Velcro is handy, I used a Bongo Tie. A Gardener Bender Wraptor will work too.A friend got me a second pincher (32″ Handi Grip Reacher with Rotating Head) that can change pinch orientation. Very handy. The pincher is also different than the kit pincher.Get some cold packs. You will need them. Cold is good for keeping the swelling and inflammation down.Good luck, take your meds and do your PT!

The sock put-ter-on-er is epic!
All tools work well, or well enough.- grabber – I was doubtful when I saw the string instead of spring-loaded grabber. But it works well enough for me to grab my tennis shoe tongues to pull back or pick up the TV remote, and the short length is convenient to put into my recliner pocket- sock put-ter-on-er – it’s like magic, lol. Not the greatest for putting the hospital embolism prevention compression socks on but they’re REALLY tight. It’s great for anything else, and takes longer to get your sock onto the device than it does the 1 second to put the sock on! I should have had this device when I first started having hip issues!- extra long shoehorn – was a requirement by my surgeon’s office. I had a long one but it still required leaning over too far. This one seems a bit flimsy, but works well especially sitting down- dressing stick with hooks – I doubted I’d use this device, but found it VERY useful for removing socks by pushing them down and over my heels, even compression socks. Another use was putting underwear on the floor and using the stick to spread out the leg holes to make it easier to step into. I used a longer grabber tool to pull clothing up- sponge on a stick – this sponge makes suds like crazy! I used it about 8 times until the very flimsy internal stick broke, so won’t be able to use it to wash back or down legs. Highly recommend a less brittle plastic or 2-3x thicker internal stickEconomical to purchase the 5 pieces and all have gotten used.

Everything I expected
I used most of the products that came with this set in rehab and I wasn’t disappointed. It came with all the products it was supposed to and were all great quality. I only have to use 3 of the devices now, but keeping the rest in case I need them after my first knee surgery. While I don’t need the device that helps you put your leg up onto the bed – I had 2 back surgeries in 2 days with resultant weak leg, ankle and foot – it works great to help open my bottom drawer of my chest of of drawers with knobs. It also works great for getting my Maine Coon off my bed. Just one gentle touch to her bottom and she jumps down. So, handy uses of this device. I still use the device that picks up objects without bending over. Works great and is a life saver. (Or at least a back saver.)

Great kit for post-surgery help.
I’m remiss in not reviewing this kit sooner. I bought it 4 years ago, in late 2020, before having both knees replaced. Yes, at the same time. I knew I’d need all the handy helping tools I could find. I had them ready for when I came home from surgery. And 4 years later, I still use the long-handle shoe horn daily to put my shoes on — just makes it so much easier. And I use the long-handle grabber weekly —- mainly for getting clothes out of the washing machine! I’m short and the washer tub is too deep for me to reach the last things in the bottom. My grabber is the perfect tool to get those out and into the dryer. This would be a great set not only for those having or had surgery, but also for anyone with mobility issues. Thanks for this kit!