Preparing Your Home for Hip or Knee Surgery

Preparing Your Home for Surgery

“Making simple changes to your home before surgery can make recovery safer and easier.”

Disclaimer: This list is produced for information purposes only. Effort is made to ensure accuracy, but as this information changes frequently, The Ottawa Hospital and its staff do not offer any guarantees regarding accuracy or completeness, nor do they endorse any specific service or facility.

Discharge Planning

Home Maintenance

Preparing Your Home for Surgery
Making simple changes to your home before surgery can make recovery safer and easier.
General Home Safety
  • Remove loose rugs, cords, and clutter to reduce the risk of falls
  • Ensure good lighting throughout your home
  • Arrange frequently used items within easy reach
  • Furniture and Mobility
  • Use a firm chair with armrests and a seat height that allows your hips to be higher than your knees
  • Consider a raised toilet seat or toilet frame
  • Install grab bars in the bathroom if possible
  • Use a shower chair and a non-slip bathmat
Bedroom Setup:
  • Ensure your bed is at a comfortable height
  • Keep a lamp, phone, medications, and water within reach
  • Ensure you have firm pillows to assist with sleeping position, if advised by your healthcare team
Kitchen and Daily Tasks:
  • Prepare meals in advance and store them in easy-to-access containers
  • Place commonly used kitchen items at waist height
  • Consider getting help with grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning during early recovery
Walking Aids and Equipment
  • Make space to safely use a walker or crutches, ensuring hallways and doorways are clear
  • Your healthcare team may recommend equipment such as a long-handled reacher, sock aid, or shoehorn