5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Surgery Recovery

Any surgery is challenging to recover from, but total joint replacement procedures are complicated because they affect movement for weeks to months. The recovery process is the most critical aspect of surgery, so preparing is crucial.

Before undergoing the procedure, it's critical to prepare your home for the recovery period. If you're unsure where to start, Dr. Brandon Downs and the Orthopaedic Specialists team are here to guide you.

Dr. Downs is a compassionate and experienced orthopaedic surgeon who offers everything you need for joint replacement surgery, including a day-of-surgery checklist, medications to avoid, and pain control information.

Why is home preparation necessary?

Orthopaedic surgery is a big deal, especially when you're in pain and looking for long-term relief. It helps restore function in the body, allowing you to regain independence while reducing discomfort.

But the recovery process is just as necessary as the procedure itself. If you need a total joint replacement or other orthopaedic surgery, home preparation in the weeks beforehand is essential for a healthy recovery.

Home preparation is necessary for many reasons, including creating a clean and safe environment for recovery. It also allows for a comfortable resting place. At the same time, your body heals itself and avoids excess clutter and movements that could slow down the process.

Preparation before surgery also helps prevent infection, especially when you create a clean place to rest and change bandages after the procedure. Preparation also lessens anxiety and stress about the months of recovery afterward.

Tips for home preparation

Home preparation should start a few weeks before surgery day. Preparing your house and family for the weeks and months after surgery is a critical piece of the puzzle.

The specific preparations for your home depend on what type of surgery you're having. However, there are some general tips that everyone can use for home preparation, and they include:

1. Set up sleeping arrangements downstairs

You should set up sleeping arrangements downstairs in the first few days to weeks after surgery, especially for knee or hip surgery. Sleeping downstairs limits trips up and down steps, which could be treacherous while you recover.

2. Get your bathroom ready

Although you may not be able to shower right after surgery, it's essential to get your bathroom ready. For a hip replacement, you may need an elevated toilet seat and a shower chair to prevent falls or pain. Getting a handheld shower device and stocking up on toilet paper is also a good idea.

3. Cook meals ahead of time

One thing you don't want to worry about is cooking while you recover. If you don't have someone who can cook for you, meal prep ahead of time and make freezer meals you can take out and heat up. Stock up on easy but nutritious meals that contain plenty of protein to assist the healing process.

4. Put regularly used items within reach

The worst part of recovery is not having everything you need within reach, so setting up your home beforehand is crucial. Ensure everything you use daily is close to your chair and bed to avoid extra opportunities that increase the risk of injury and falls.

5. Eliminate household clutter

Removing clutter is one of the most critical aspects of preparing your home before surgery. Clutter increases the risk of injuries and falls. Remove any rugs or tripping hazards, and keep the recovery area clean and free of too many items that you don't need.

Talk to family and friends before surgery to get a sound support system for the recovery period. Explain your needs and set up rides to and from appointments and physical therapy to reduce stress while you recover.

Call Dr. Downs at Orthopaedic Specialists today to discuss surgical recovery at one of our five offices in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, or request a consultation on our website.