Prepping Your Home for Recovery from Knee or Hip Surgery

Are you slated for knee or hip surgery in the near future? If so, you need to start thinking about your recovery now. Getting your home ready and help lined up is a critical step in this process.Major joint surgery can mean weeks or even months of recovery

Major joint surgery can mean weeks or even months of recovery. While surgical procedures have improved so that most patients are up and walking and doing physical therapy fairly quickly, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to do everything yourself right away.

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist George Hatch, MD, treats patients with all types of joint injuries, including knee deformities and sports injuries. Here’s what he wants you to know about preparing for recovery from a knee or hip surgery.

Prepping your home

Think about what your mobility will be like when you get home. Ideally you can have a bed and a bathroom located on the ground floor. Make sure there are no tripping hazards and consider adding real grab bars to your bathroom.

Prep meals ahead of time. You can buy easy to prepare meals or make them. Then all you have to do is take an item out and microwave it or put it in the air fryer for a few minutes. Good nutrition is important during recovery, and so is hydration, so keep water within reach.

Caregiving options

The average caregiver can spend up to 16-17 hours caring for a patient and completing tasks the patient would normally do by themselves. If you have several people available to all help out, that lessens the burden on each and helps prevent caregiver burnout.

Alternately, depending on your insurance coverage and financial situation, you may qualify for in-home care. Ask your surgeon if this is available. You might be able to relieve stress on friends or family with outpatient care.

Follow post-op instructions

Dr. Hatch and his team will give you a packet to take home with specific instructions about when you can shower, wash your hair, and so on. You’ll need to take any medications prescribed to you on time, and have a safe place to store them.

Your rehabilitative therapy will begin soon after your release from the hospital. It can feel like a lot of work to get out the door to go to your appointments, but the sooner you begin rehabilitation, the sooner you’ll start feeling like yourself again. You may find at-home or community resources to help you supplement this type of care.

To learn more about joint surgery and recovery, contact our office by calling 323-442-5860, or book an appointment online today with Dr. George Hatch of Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery.