If you’ve scheduled a knee replacement surgery, you likely have a lot of preparation ahead of you. As you get ready for your surgery, you should also get your home and your family ready for the recovery period. These four tips will help you organize your efforts so you can get well as soon as possible. 

4 Ways to Prepare for Recovery After Knee Replacement

1. Clean Your Home

After your surgery, your home should be as free from hazards and clutter as possible. Before you go into the doctor’s office, survey your house and take care of any unnecessary clutter. This may include moving rugs, furniture, or floor decor that could pose tripping hazards, as well as clearing pathways to make it easier to get around. 

2. Enlist Help

It takes about six weeks to recover from knee replacement surgery on average, and about nine weeks before you’ll be able to drive. As such, it’s crucial to have a friend or family member available to assist with daily tasks until you’ve fully healed. This person’s job will be to administer medications, help you walk around, run errands, assist in bathing, and help you go to the bathroom. After the first week, they’ll also need to start driving you to outpatient physical therapy.  

3. Set Up Your Living Space

If your living quarters are on the second floor, you’ll need to make arrangements to live on the first floor until you’re fully healed. Organize a spare guest room or office in the meantime so you have a place to sleep and relax in the first few weeks after surgery.

If you live in a one-floor home, you may still need to reconsider where you’ll spend most of your time during recovery. For example, if your bedroom doesn’t have a television, consider staying in the living room so you can keep yourself entertained while you rest. If there’s a spare bedroom that’s closer to the bathroom or kitchen, consider relocating there to minimize the time you spend on your feet.

3. Buy Supplies

You’ll likely need to stock up on a few necessities before your surgery. To start, install support ramps and grab bars in your home’s entryways and bathrooms as necessary to make it easier to move around. Pick up a few pairs of non-skid socks to minimize the chances of tripping when you have to walk. Finally, ask your doctor if the hospital will provide you with a wheelchair or walker after surgery. If they won’t, you should buy one.

If you believe you may need knee replacement surgery, turn to the knowledgeable team at Orthopaedic Associates of Rochester in New York. Their surgeons have extensive experience handling everything from sports injuries to joint pain, and they’ll work with you to offer a quick and effective diagnosis and treatment plan. Visit their website for more information or call (585) 723-­3000 today.