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All topics
  1. What it is
  2. Who it helps
  3. Timing
  4. The procedure
  5. Patient journey
  6. Recovery supplies
  7. Implant designs
  8. Side-by-side
  9. Robotics and alignment
  10. US manufacturers
  11. What the evidence says
  12. Value analysis
  13. Questions to ask
  14. Resources
  15. Glossary
  16. References

For patients and families

Recovery supplies

Practical things that make the first weeks at home safer and easier. Each category explains what to look for, so you can choose well whether or not you use the links here. Your hospital or therapist may supply some items, like a walker, so check before you buy.

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Check with your care team first. Your surgeon's and therapist's instructions come before anything on this page.

Cold therapy and swelling

Swelling is normal for weeks after knee replacement, and ice with elevation helps control it.49

What to look for
  • Reusable gel ice packs large enough to wrap the knee
  • A wrap or sleeve that holds the pack in place
  • A thin cloth barrier so ice never sits directly on skin

Follow your team's instructions on how long to ice, and keep the incision dressing dry.

Good for: Controlling swelling at home

Reusable knee ice wraps

Look for a gel pack that wraps around the whole knee with a secure strap. Always use a cloth layer between the pack and your skin.

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Bathroom safety

Bending the new knee to sit low and stepping over a tub edge are hard in the first weeks, and falls are a real risk.

What to look for
  • A raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame with arms
  • A shower chair or tub transfer bench
  • Grab bars that screw into wall studs, not suction cups
  • Non-slip bath mats

Have grab bars installed properly. Ask your therapist which bathroom aids you'll need.

Good for: The first weeks home

Raised toilet seats with arms

A seat that adds height and has sturdy arms makes sitting and standing much easier while the knee bends less.

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Good for: Showering safely

Shower chairs and transfer benches

A chair with a back, or a transfer bench for a tub, lets you shower seated and avoid stepping over the tub edge.

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Good for: Tubs and showers

Non-slip bath mats

A textured mat with suction cups reduces the chance of slipping in the tub or shower.

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Dressing and reaching aids

Reaching your feet is difficult while the knee is stiff. Simple aids make dressing safer and more independent.

What to look for
  • A grabber or reacher, about 30 inches long
  • A sock aid
  • A long-handled shoe horn
  • Elastic no-tie shoelaces

Many hospitals sell a hip and knee kit with these items. Check before buying separately.

Good for: Picking things up safely

Grabber reachers

A lightweight reacher picks things up without bending or kneeling.

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Good for: Dressing independently

Hip and knee dressing kits

A kit usually includes a reacher, sock aid, long shoe horn and bath sponge in one purchase.

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Walker accessories

Most people use a walker for about the first three weeks, then a cane.49

What to look for
  • A walker bag or tray to carry items hands-free
  • Walker glide caps for smooth floors
  • A cane with an adjustable height and a sturdy base

Your hospital or therapist will usually fit your walker and set its height. Use the walker you're given.

Good for: Getting around the house

Walker bags and trays

Carry a phone, water and small items while keeping both hands on the walker.

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Comfort and sleep

Comfortable, safe positioning helps you rest. Keeping the knee straight when resting helps prevent stiffness.

What to look for
  • A leg elevation pillow that supports the whole leg and heel, not just under the knee
  • Loose shorts or wide-leg pants that fit over a dressing
  • Slip-on shoes with a closed back and non-slip sole

Avoid resting with a pillow under the knee unless your team tells you otherwise; it can make the knee stiffen in a bent position.

Good for: Elevating to reduce swelling

Leg elevation pillows

Choose one that supports the whole lower leg and heel. Ask your team how and when to elevate.

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Medications and tracking

Recovery often comes with several new medicines, including blood thinners, plus a lot of therapy appointments.46

What to look for
  • A weekly pill organizer with morning and evening slots
  • A medication and exercise log
  • A folder for discharge papers and therapy schedules

Take every medicine as prescribed, especially blood thinners, for the full course your team recommends.

Good for: Tracking daily medicines

Weekly AM/PM pill organizers

Separate morning and evening slots help keep several new medicines straight.

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Product list last updated 2026-10-08.

Sources for this page

  1. Mayo Clinic. Knee replacement. mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/knee-replacement
  2. Hospital for Special Surgery. 6 things to know about recovery after knee replacement. hss.edu/health-library/move-better/knee-replacement-recovery

All references