Your post-joint replacement surgery checklist

Knee or hip replacement surgery can feel intimidating, but there is no need for worry. With sound preparation and a solid recovery plan, you will be back to your routine before you know it.

Before you go in for surgery

A few things are worth having ready at home for your return:

Set up a spot in your home where you will spend most of your time. Keep a phone, laptop, remote control, reading materials, medications, and water within easy reach.

Store the items you use daily - clothing, toiletries, pots and pans, food - at arm height so no reaching or bending is required. Use a long-handled tool for anything beyond arm's length.

Clear away clutter and remove any rugs you could slip on.

Cook and freeze meals ahead so you can reheat them as needed, or stock up on prepared foods.

Find an apron with large pockets so you can carry things around the house while keeping your hands and arms free for crutches or balance.

Buy any assistive devices you will need, such as a grabber stick (to pick things up without bending), a long-handled shoehorn, and a sock aid for pulling on socks.

Install a raised toilet seat. Grab bars can help too.

Apply for a temporary disabled parking permit through your state department of motor vehicles. Do this several weeks before surgery. If you are having a right hip or knee replacement, keep in mind that driving is not recommended for six weeks afterward, since your right foot works the gas and brake pedals.

When you first arrive home after surgery

You will need help. Line up a family member, friend, or hired helper for meal preparation, cleaning, bathing, shopping, and simply fetching things. Depending on your medical situation, a visiting nurse or home health aide may be worthwhile.

The first few weeks post surgery

Unlike many operations, joint replacement is not something you recover from passively. Once surgery is over, physical therapy begins - and in the end, the effort you put into therapy will shape the success of your implant just as much as the skill of the surgeon who performed the operation.

A physical therapist may come to your home or set up regular appointments. In many cases it is worth the trip to a reputable outpatient therapy center, since these facilities tend to offer more aggressive and standardized treatment to get you on track. Beyond formal exercises, gradually extending how far you walk and how many ordinary tasks you take on builds strength and stamina.