There are a few things to have at home that may help you
manage simple procedures that, after surgery, seem like monumental tasks.
The National Institutes of Health, Medline Plus, Getting your home ready – knee or hipsurgery, offers many helpful suggestions for aids such as a reacher/grabber
to pick up things off the floor or just beyond arm’s length. Have a sock aid and a long shoe horn.
Arthritis Today also recommends elastic shoe laces so that your tie shoes can
be easy to slip on and off.
Either a portable toilet or a toilet chair with arms to fit
over an existing toilet allows you to use your arms to steady yourself and
prevent falls. Have grab bars installed next to the shower (do not use towel holders)
and keep non-slip mats in the shower to prevent accidents.
Have a basket on your walker or wheelchair to carry things
with you as you go from room to room – portable phone, pad of paper, pencil,
tissues, and other essentials. Or wear a fanny pack.
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| Maine Warmers' Knee Pack -- Freeze and/or microwave |
Have an ice pack handy to help reduce swelling. It is
recommended that you do not place ice directly on the skin. Wrap it in a towel. Most health professionals recommend cold therapy for no more than 20
minutes at a time.
Simple gel ice packs can be purchased at a pharmacy. MaineWarmers’ Knee Pack is filled with whole corn and offers gentle cold without the
harshness of cubes or frozen veggies. The Knee Pack will hold a one-pound bag
of frozen peas or corn and has a strap to help keep it in place. Maine Warmers microwave heating pads and gentle ice packs come in a variety of shapes and sizes for backs, necks, hands and feet. Heat stimulates circulation and flexibility once the swelling has gone down.
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