Recovering from Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery takes time. However, you can take practical steps before your surgery that will help make your return home and recovery quicker and easier.

 

These steps include:

  • If you live alone consider doing your post-surgery physiotherapy at a specialised inpatient rehabilitation facility after discharge from the hospital. Your doctor can suggest appropriate places for you to consider. You may want to visit it before your surgery, take a tour and meet some of the staff to familiarise yourself with the place. This can ease the transition process from the hospital to the rehabilitation facility.
  • Arrange for someone to take you home and stay with you for the first few weeks after your surgery.
  • If you do the cooking at home, prepare food for a week or two before your surgery and leave it in the freezer so you'll have two weeks of ready-made meals when you get home.
  • Place items you use regularly at home at an easy to reach height so you do not have to reach up or bend down to access them.
  • Buy or borrow a forearm supported frame or a pair of crutches and practice how well you can manoeuvre around your home using them. You may need to rearrange furniture or temporarily change rooms. If you sleep on the upper floor then you need to temporarily move your bed downstairs.
  • Remove any rugs or other items on the floor that could cause you to slip or trip.
  • Consider modifying your bathroom to include a shower chair, gripping bar or raised toilet. These can all be purchased at a mobility aid shop.
  • There are few items you may wish to purchase that will make your life easier following surgery. These include; a long-handled shoehorn, a long-handled sponge, a grabbing tool, a footstool and shoes that have no laces.
  • Apply for a temporary disabled parking permit. You will need to do this several weeks prior to your surgery as the approval process can take a while. Ask your local doctor or our staff to assist you with completing the required forms for the RTA office.

 

For further information please see After Leaving The Hospital