Making Your Home 'Recovery Ready'

A little time spent getting your home ready before your surgery can make a big difference in your recovery. Here are some helpful hints for around the house:

General Preparations

  • Remove throw rugs and tack down loose carpeting
  • Remove electrical cords, telephone cords, toys, and other tripping hazards
  • Fix or be aware of uneven flooring and surfaces
  • Provide good lighting
  • Cover slippery surfaces with carpets that have nonskid backs
  • Place regularly used items such as remote controls, medications, and reading materials in convenient and easy-to-reach locations
  • If your mail is delivered to an outdoor box, contact your post office to request delivery to your door

Kitchen

  • Stock up on canned and frozen foods
  • Prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them
  • Store food in a cupboard that’s waist to shoulder level
  • Place frequently used cooking supplies, pots, pans, plates, and utensils on the counter or where they can be easily reached

Bathroom

  • Stock up on toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, medications, and other personal items
  • If your shower has doors, replace them temporarily with a curtain
  • Put a chair in your shower
  • Get a handheld shower head
  • Get a raised toilet seat
  • Get a shower sponge with a long handle
  • Put handrails in the shower and next to the toilet
  • Place a slip-proof mat in the shower
  • Install a nightlight

Bedroom

  • Set up your bed on the first floor if you can
  • Wash all your towels, linens, and dirty clothes
  • Place loose clothing and pajamas in waist- to shoulder-level drawers or closets
  • Install a nightlight

Other

  • Make sure you have easy access to a phone - consider using a cordless or cell phone
  • Reachers and grabbers will come in handy
  • A desk chair with wheels can make it easier to get around
  • To keep your hands free to use for balance, consider using a walker basket, fanny pack, small backpack, or an apron with large pockets to hold things you'll want nearby
  • Rent/buy/borrow plenty of books, movies, music, and puzzle books
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Talk to your surgeon about whether joint replacement or another treatment is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risk of implant wear, loosening or failure, and pain, swelling and infection. Zimmer Biomet does not practice medicine; only a surgeon can answer your questions regarding your individual symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.