Knee or hip surgery can be debilitating. Walking will be hard, initially, and you’ll need to take your recovery very seriously if you hope to get back to your old-self faster. Your goal is to prepare your home to speed up your recovery process. Learn the importance of hip flexors in your recovery process.
It’s going to take some time and effort, but you can definitely make your entire recovery easier.
A few of the key most important things that you’ll want to do are:
Choose a Bed That is Low Enough to the Ground
If you like high mattresses where you have to hop off of them when you get out of bed, this will not be good for your health. You need to choose a mattress that is close enough to the ground that your feet can touch the floor when you sit on the edge of the bed.
Whenever possible, have the bed on the first floor of the home so that you don’t have to traverse any stairs.
You may want to buy a hospital bed, and this is a good option if you plan on the recovery process lasting 3 – 6 months.
Worried about the cost? Your insurance company may cover the costs to rent a hospital bed, or you can choose to buy your own. AvaCare Medical has programs available where they’ll pay for the last 10% of your bed when starting a GoFundMe page. You also have the option of receiving a discount if you’re a veteran.
Arrange Items for Easy Reach
Stretching up into a cabinet to reach an item that is high up will not be the ideal choice for you. Instead, you should arrange your space so that you can reach all of your items with ease. This may include:
- Items in your pantry
- Blankets
- Towels
By preparing your items by putting them on a lower shelf or within easier reach, you’ll make your initial time coming home much easier.
Purchase a Commode
No one wants to use a commode, but when it’s difficult to get to the bathroom or the bathroom is upstairs, a commode can be very helpful. Commodes allow you to go in your bathroom or any other room.
Place the commode in a place where you’ll be spending the most time, normally in your bedroom, while you relax and recover.
Ask About Mobility Devices
A neighbor of mine had knee surgery, and when she got up to go to the bathroom following surgery, she fell and hurt herself. She refused to use a mobility aid prior to her fall, and this didn’t allow her to heal enough to be able to walk confidently.
Using a mobility device is recommended in most cases.
You’ll want to ask your doctor what type mobility device you’ll need:
- Wheelchair
- Walker
- Crutches
- Cane
If you do have a walker, you may want to have a basket attached to keep all of your personal items in while you’re walking around. Since your mobility is limited, the basket will help a lot.
