Preparing Your Home Before a Hip or Knee Replacement: A Practical Checklist

Hip and knee replacements are among the most commonly performed operations in the NHS — and among the most successful. The vast majority of patients experience a dramatic improvement in pain and mobility. But the surgery is only half the story. The recovery happens at home, and how well-prepared your home is can make an enormous difference to how smoothly that recovery goes.

This guide is for anyone preparing for a hip or knee replacement, and for the family members and friends who want to help them.

Recovery from a hip or knee replacement is a gradual process. Most people are discharged from hospital within two to four days of surgery, but full recovery takes considerably longer:

• First two weeks: Significant pain and swelling; limited mobility; will need help with most daily tasks
• Weeks two to six: Gradual improvement; physiotherapy exercises become important; still needs support
• Six weeks to three months: Most people can manage independently for basic tasks; driving may resume (check with your surgeon)
• Three to twelve months: Continued improvement; return to most normal activities

The first two to six weeks at home are the most demanding, and this is when having the right support in place matters most.

The best time to prepare your home is before your operation, when you are still mobile and able to make decisions clearly. Do not leave this until the day before surgery.

Walk through every room you will use during recovery and remove anything that could cause a trip or fall:

• Loose rugs and mats (remove them entirely — they are a significant fall risk)
• Electrical cables crossing walkways
• Low furniture that could be bumped into
• Clutter on floors, stairs, or hallways
• Door thresholds that stick up

If your bedroom is upstairs, consider setting up a temporary sleeping and living space on the ground floor for the first few weeks. Stairs are manageable after a hip or knee replacement, but minimising them in the early days reduces pain and fall risk. You will need:

• A comfortable bed or recliner chair at the right height (not too low — getting up from a low surface is difficult after hip surgery)
• Easy access to a toilet (a commode may be useful if the bathroom is upstairs)
• Everything you need within easy reach

After a hip replacement in particular, you will need to avoid bending your hip beyond 90 degrees. This means:

• Toilet seat raisers (available from pharmacies and the NHS)
• Raised chair cushions or a high-backed chair
• A bed at the right height (you should be able to sit on the edge with your feet flat on the floor)

Your physiotherapist or occupational therapist will advise on the specific precautions for your operation.

Consider installing grab rails in the bathroom, next to the toilet, and on any steps. A shower stool or bath board can make washing much safer. Your GP or hospital can refer you to an occupational therapist for a home assessment before surgery — this is well worth requesting.

Before you go into hospital, stock your home with:

• At least two weeks' worth of non-perishable food
• Medications (ensure prescriptions are up to date)
• Toiletries, cleaning supplies, and household essentials
• Easy-to-prepare foods that require minimal cooking
• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to put on and take off

These items can make a significant difference during recovery:

Many of these items are available from pharmacies, online retailers, or the NHS. Your hospital's occupational therapy team may be able to provide some of them.

This is the step that many people leave too late. Arranging support before your operation — not after — means you come home to a plan, not a problem.

You will not be able to drive yourself home after surgery. Arrange a lift with a family member or friend, or book a suitable transport service in advance. Ensure the vehicle is comfortable and that you know how to get in and out safely (your physiotherapist will show you).

The first 48–72 hours at home are the most demanding. Ideally, someone should be with you — or at least nearby and available — during this period. If family members are not available, a professional support worker can provide this cover.

Think through your typical day and identify the tasks that will be difficult or impossible in the early weeks:

• Cooking and meal preparation
• Shopping and collecting prescriptions
• Housework and laundry
• Getting to physiotherapy appointments
• Personal care (if needed — this requires a registered care provider)

For non-clinical tasks — shopping, meal preparation, collecting medication, accompanying to appointments, and general companionship — a support worker from a service like Karken Healthcare can provide flexible, responsive help.

Many people assume that post-operative support means nursing care. In fact, for the majority of hip and knee replacement patients, the support they need most is not clinical — it is practical and social.

A non-clinical support worker can:

• Collect and deliver medication — ensuring prescriptions are picked up from the pharmacy and safely delivered
• Help with meals — preparing simple, nutritious food when cooking is difficult
• Accompany to physiotherapy — providing transport and support at appointments
• Help with shopping and errands — so you do not have to venture out before you are ready
• Provide companionship — recovery can be isolating; regular company makes a real difference
• Be a watchful presence — noticing if something seems wrong and keeping family members informed

This kind of support can be arranged flexibly — a few hours a week, or daily visits in the early stages — and adjusted as your recovery progresses.

Physiotherapy is one of the most important factors in a successful recovery. Your hospital will provide an initial physiotherapy programme, and it is essential to follow it. The exercises may feel uncomfortable at first, but they are critical for restoring strength and mobility.

If you are struggling with your exercises, ask your GP for a referral to community physiotherapy, or consider private physiotherapy sessions. A support worker can accompany you to appointments and help you remember your exercise routine, but they cannot provide physiotherapy themselves.

Use this checklist in the weeks before your operation:

Home preparation

• Remove all loose rugs and trip hazards
• Set up a ground-floor recovery space if needed
• Raise the height of key furniture (bed, chairs, toilet)
• Install grab rails in bathroom and on steps
• Stock up on food, medication, and essentials

Practical aids

• Raised toilet seat
• Shower stool and non-slip mat
• Long-handled reacher and shoehorn
• Sock aid
• Ice packs

Support arrangements

• Transport home from hospital arranged
• Someone available for the first 48–72 hours
• Support for cooking, shopping, and errands arranged
• Physiotherapy appointments booked
• Prescription medication up to date

Karken Healthcare Ltd provides non-clinical, non-CQC regulated home support services across the United Kingdom. We do not provide personal care, nursing care, or medical treatment. For clinical advice about your surgery and recovery, please speak to your surgical team or GP.