How to Get Up From a Chair After Surgery: Safe Techniques for Standing

Standing up from a chair is something most people do dozens of times a day without giving it any thought. After surgery, it can become one of the most uncomfortable and physically demanding movements in your daily routine. The combination of weakened muscles, restricted joints, surgical pain, and post-operative fatigue turns this simple action into something that requires real technique.

The good news is that once you understand the mechanics and use a few practical strategies, getting up from a chair becomes manageable within the first week and second nature soon after.

Why standing up is harder after surgery

When you stand from a seated position, your body relies on a coordinated effort from your legs, core, and arms. Your quadriceps push you upward, your core stabilises your trunk, and your arms provide balance and leverage.

After surgery, one or more of these systems is compromised. Hip or knee replacement weakens the legs and limits how much you can bend. Abdominal surgery makes your core unable to provide the stabilisation it normally does. Even shoulder surgery, which seems unrelated, removes the ability to push up with one arm.

Understanding which part of the chain is affected by your procedure helps you compensate effectively.

The correct technique

The safest way to stand from a chair after surgery follows the same basic steps regardless of your procedure:

1. Move to the front of the seat. Shuffle forward until your feet are directly beneath your knees rather than tucked under the chair. This positions your weight over your base of support before you start to rise.

2. Position your feet. Place them flat on the floor, hip-width apart. If you have had surgery on one leg, position your stronger leg slightly further back. This allows it to do more of the work.

3. Lean forward from your hips. Bring your nose over your toes. This shifts your centre of gravity forward, which is essential for generating upward momentum. Many people instinctively lean back when they try to stand, which makes the movement much harder.

4. Push up with your legs and arms. Press through your feet while pushing down on the armrests. If the chair has no armrests, push off the seat with your hands. Rise steadily rather than trying to launch yourself upward.

5. Pause when standing. Once upright, stand still for a few seconds before walking. Post-surgical dizziness, low blood pressure, and medication effects can make you lightheaded when you first stand. Give your body a moment to adjust.

Techniques for specific procedures

After hip replacement

Your operated hip has movement restrictions, typically no bending past 90 degrees and no twisting inward. When getting up from a chair:

Use a chair with a seat height that keeps your hip at or above 90 degrees. If the chair is too low, add a firm cushion to raise the height. Slide your operated leg slightly forward before standing so the hip does not bend deeply as you rise. Push up using your arms and your non-operated leg as much as possible.

For guidance on choosing the right seating height and cushions, see our guide on how to sit comfortably after surgery.

After knee replacement

Your operated knee will be stiff and swollen. The key challenge is generating enough force through a joint that does not bend or extend comfortably.

Place your operated leg slightly forward so the knee does not need to bend as deeply. Use your arms heavily to push up, taking weight off the operated knee. Rise slowly and allow the knee to straighten gradually rather than snapping to full extension.

After abdominal surgery

Your core muscles are the stabilisers during standing, and after abdominal surgery they cannot do their job effectively.

Lean forward slowly and use your arms to take as much weight as possible. Avoid twisting as you stand. If you feel pulling at your incision, hold a cushion against your abdomen with one hand while pushing up with the other. The movement should be smooth and controlled rather than sudden.

Choosing the right chair

The chair you use during recovery makes a significant difference in how easy it is to stand up.

Seat height matters most. A higher seat means less effort to stand. Your hips and knees should be at roughly 90 degrees when seated, or slightly higher. If your usual chair is too low, add a firm cushion or use a different chair temporarily.

Armrests are essential. Being able to push down on armrests takes significant load off your legs and core. A dining chair with arms, a sturdy armchair, or a riser chair are all better options than a deep sofa during recovery.

Avoid soft, deep seating. Sofas and overstuffed armchairs feel comfortable but make standing up much harder. You sink into them, your hips drop below your knees, and there is nothing firm to push against. A firmer surface is always easier to rise from.

Consider a riser chair. Electric riser-recliner chairs tilt forward to assist you to a standing position. These are particularly helpful after hip or knee replacement when standing repeatedly throughout the day is both necessary and painful. They can be purchased or sometimes borrowed through community equipment services.

Tools and aids

Several simple aids can make standing from a chair significantly easier:

Chair raisers are blocks that fit under the legs of a chair to raise its height by several inches. They are inexpensive, widely available, and can be removed when no longer needed.

A sturdy walking frame placed in front of your chair gives you something stable to hold as you stand. Position it close enough that you can reach it while seated, then use it for support as you rise.

Seat cushions designed for post-surgical recovery are firmer than standard cushions and maintain their height under your weight. A cushion that compresses fully is not helping you.

For a complete overview of useful equipment, see our guide on how to get in and out of bed after surgery, which covers similar aids.

Common mistakes

Reaching forward for furniture to pull yourself up. Grabbing a coffee table, shelf, or another piece of furniture to pull yourself to standing is risky. Most household furniture is not designed to take your body weight and can tip or slide. Always push up rather than pull.

Standing too quickly. Rushing increases the risk of dizziness, loss of balance, and falling. Take the movement slowly and pause once upright.

Using the wrong chair repeatedly. If you find yourself struggling every time, the chair is probably the problem. Switch to a higher, firmer option rather than fighting the same battle multiple times a day.

Not using your arms. People often try to stand using legs alone, particularly if their arms feel strong. Using your arms, even when your legs are capable, reduces the load on your surgical site significantly.

Sitting back down too fast. Lowering yourself back into the chair requires just as much control as standing up. Turn around, feel the seat against the back of your legs, reach back for the armrests, and lower yourself slowly. Dropping into the chair can jar your wound and cause unnecessary pain.

Building strength over time

Standing from a chair uses the same muscle groups that your physiotherapist will target during your recovery exercises. The more consistently you do your prescribed exercises, the easier this daily task becomes.

In the first few days, you may need significant arm assistance. By the end of the first week, most people notice improvement. By weeks three to four, many can stand from a standard chair with minimal difficulty.

If you are not making progress, or if the movement causes sharp pain rather than the expected dull ache, speak to your physiotherapist. They can assess your technique and recommend modifications specific to your procedure.

For more on rebuilding your mobility during recovery, see our guide on how to walk safely after surgery.

Standing up from a chair is one of those small victories that marks genuine progress. Each time it gets a little easier, your confidence grows with it.