Home Recovery After Joint Surgery: Safety Tips, Mobility Tools, and Daily Routines

July 30, 2025

Tags: Inpatient Rehab, Joint Surgery & Recovery

Creating a Healing Space Right at Home

Joint surgery, whether for a hip, knee, or shoulder, can be life-changing, helping you move more freely and with less pain. But the journey doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. What happens at home can make a big difference in how quickly and smoothly you recover.

At St. Mary’s, we’re here to support you not just during surgery, but afterward as well. Here’s what you can do to create a safe, comfortable recovery space at home, and how to stay on track in the days and weeks that follow.

Set up your space for recovery

🏠 Set Up Your Space for Safety

Before you return home, it’s a good idea to make a few changes to your environment so you can move around more easily and avoid accidents.

Home Setup Tips:

Clear pathways. Remove rugs, cords, and clutter to prevent trips or slips.
Stay on one level. If possible, set up a bedroom, bathroom, and relaxing space on the ground floor.
Add nightlights. Especially in hallways and bathrooms for easier nighttime navigation.
Install grab bars. In bathrooms near the toilet and inside the shower.
Use a shower chair and a non-slip mat. These make bathing safer and less tiring.
Raise the toilet seat. A toilet riser can make it easier to sit and stand after hip or knee surgery.
Keep essentials nearby. Place medications, water, phone, books, and snacks within reach of your bed or favorite chair.

🦯 Helpful Mobility Tools

Depending on the type of surgery and your provider’s instructions, you may need assistive devices during early recovery. These tools can help you move safely while giving your joints time to heal.

Common Recovery Aids:

Walker or cane – for support and balance
Reacher or grabber tool – for picking up items without bending
Sock aid and long-handled shoehorn – to help with dressing
Leg lifter strap – to assist with moving your leg in and out of bed or the car
Ice packs or cooling systems – to reduce swelling and relieve pain

💡 Ask your care team if any of these can be provided before you leave the hospital or during inpatient rehab.

Helpful mobility tools

Stick to a daily routine

📅 Stick to a Daily Routine

Establishing a simple, predictable routine can help you stay on track and give your body the structure it needs to heal.

Daily Recovery Tips:

Take medications as prescribed. Set alarms or use a pill organizer.
Keep your follow-up appointments. These visits ensure your progress is on track.
Do your physical therapy exercises. Even on hard days, movement is essential.
Get up and walk (safely) several times a day. Short, regular walks support circulation and prevent stiffness.
Stay hydrated and eat nourishing meals. Good nutrition fuels healing.

Remember, rest is important, too. Listen to your body and take breaks when you need to.

❤️ You’re Not Alone, We’re Here to Help

Recovering from joint surgery takes time, patience, and support. Whether you’re healing at home, transitioning through inpatient rehab, or completing your healing journey with outpatient rehab, St. Mary’s is by your side every step of the way. Today, many joint surgery patients are discharged directly to home with assistance from St. Mary’s Home Health Care nurses and physical and occupational therapists.

Our care team can help you:

Understand your recovery plan
Connect with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other home health resources
Know when to call if something doesn’t feel right

If you need ongoing support, we’re here to help you recover safely and confidently.

You're not alone, we're here to help.