The first few weeks after knee replacement are easier when your home is ready before you leave for the hospital. You'll be moving slowly, bending less, and spending a lot of time on the exercises your physical therapist gives you. Buying and setting things up ahead of time means nobody is running to the store while you're trying to rest.
This checklist covers what most people need, grouped by where you'll use it. Your surgeon or care team may give you their own list, and theirs comes first. Many hospitals also run a pre-surgery class that covers what to expect.
1. Getting around
- A walker, crutches or a cane. Most people go home with a walking aid. Your care team will tell you which one, and it's often arranged through the hospital or covered by insurance, so ask before you buy.
- Sturdy, closed-back shoes with non-slip soles. Slippers that slide off are a common tripping hazard.
2. Bathroom safety
The bathroom is where bending and balance matter most.
- A raised toilet seat, an attachment that adds height so you don't have to bend your knee as far.
- A shower chair or tub bench, so you can sit while you wash.
- Grab bars by the toilet and in the shower. Suction bars aren't a substitute for bars fixed into the wall.
- A long-handled sponge for reaching your lower legs and feet.
3. Getting dressed
- A reacher or grabber for picking things up without bending.
- A sock aid, which lets you pull socks on without reaching your feet.
- A long-handled shoehorn.
- Loose clothing: shorts or wide-leg pants that slide easily over a bandaged, swollen knee.
4. Swelling and comfort
- Ice packs, two or more so one is always cold. A common guideline is 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off, with a towel between the ice and your skin.
- Extra pillows for raising your leg when you rest.
- A few days of easy meals made or bought ahead of time.
5. Setting up your home
This costs nothing but makes a big difference:
- Pick up throw rugs, and move cords out of walkways.
- Clear paths about three feet wide around furniture, so there's room for a walker.
- Move the things you use every day to between waist and shoulder height.
- If you can, set up a place to sleep and rest on the main floor, so you use the stairs less.
6. Exercise gear for before and after surgery
Strength before surgery often helps recovery after it. Many surgeons suggest low-impact activity like walking, cycling or a stationary bike in the month before. After surgery, your physical therapist will set your exercise program. Early exercises like quad sets, straight leg raises and ankle pumps need no equipment at all.
Later in recovery, many PT programs add light resistance. Check with your PT before you start anything new, and only use equipment they've cleared you for:
- Light resistance bands. Flat, low-tension loop bands are a common early-stage tool. Our Light Resistance Bands come individually or as a set of 5, so you can move up a level when your PT says you're ready.
- Hip and glute bands. Strong hips help take load off the knee. Our Hip & Glute Activation Bands come in Light, Medium and Heavy for bridges, clamshells and side steps.
- Knee pads for floor exercises. Many people find kneeling uncomfortable for months after a knee replacement. When your surgeon clears you for floor work, our Cushioned Knee Pads take the pressure off.
You can browse everything we carry for this stage in our Knee Surgery Recovery and Resistance Bands collections.
Quick checklist
- Walking aid (confirm which one with your care team)
- Non-slip, closed-back shoes
- Raised toilet seat
- Shower chair or tub bench
- Grab bars fixed to the wall
- Long-handled sponge
- Reacher, sock aid and long shoehorn
- Loose shorts or wide-leg pants
- 2+ ice packs and extra pillows
- Meals for the first few days
- Rugs and cords cleared, paths about 3 ft wide
- Everyday items moved to waist-to-shoulder height
- Rest area on the main floor
- Light resistance bands, if your PT will use them
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Your surgeon and physical therapist know your situation, so follow their instructions first, especially on when to start any exercise or equipment.
Sources: HealthPartners: Preparing for knee replacement · UCSF Health: Preparing for knee replacement surgery · AAOS OrthoInfo: Total knee replacement exercise guide