Knee replacement is one of the most common surgeries in the country, and one of the most planned. Most people spend weeks preparing for the surgery itself. Far fewer plan for everyday life once they get home.
That’s the part this guide is about.
Your surgeon’s instructions come first.
Every surgeon and every recovery is different. Your care team will tell you exactly what to do about activity, exercises, your incision, and when you can drive. Always follow their plan. This article is about the practical side of recovery: the everyday things that get harder at home.
What tends to get harder at home
- Getting around the house. Many people use a walker or crutches for a while, which makes stairs, doorways, and tight spaces trickier.
- Showering and getting dressed. Bending, reaching your feet, and stepping in and out of the shower can take more effort than you expect.
- Cooking and carrying things. It’s hard to carry a plate or a cup of coffee when your hands are on a walker.
- Driving. You won’t be driving right away, and your surgeon decides when it’s safe. That means you’ll need rides to follow-up appointments, physical therapy, and the store.
- Everything else. Laundry, groceries, pets, and the mail don’t take a break while you heal.
Get your home ready before surgery day
A little setup ahead of time makes the first weeks much easier:
- Clear the path. Pick up throw rugs, cords, and clutter between your bed, bathroom, and kitchen.
- Create a home base. Set up a comfortable spot to rest with your phone, charger, water, and remote within reach.
- Stock the kitchen. Easy meals and snacks mean fewer trips on your feet.
- Ask about equipment. Your surgical team can tell you what they recommend for your home, such as a shower chair or a raised toilet seat.
- Line up your help. Know who’s driving you home, who’s with you the first night, and who can help in the weeks after.
Plan for surgery day and the first night
Some knee replacements now send patients home the same day. Either way, hospitals and surgery centers generally require an adult to take you home, and many want someone with you for the first 24 hours. Have that person confirmed well before surgery day, along with a backup in case plans change.
Where Post Care Partners fits in
We’re a non-medical, in-home care company in Scottsdale. We don’t change your surgeon’s plan. We help you follow it by taking care of everything else, so you can focus on healing.
- Surgery Day Support: a ride to and from your procedure, help with discharge, prescription pickup, and getting settled at home.
- Extended Surgery Day Support: a care partner who stays with you through the first 24 hours, including overnight.
- Personalized Recovery Care: help in the weeks after with meals, bathing and dressing, light housekeeping, errands, and rides to follow-ups and physical therapy.
Planning a knee replacement? Let’s talk before surgery day.
480-906-3252 | recovery@postcarepartners.com | postcarepartners.com