Recovering from a knee replacement is much easier with a few well-chosen pieces of equipment. The right items help you stay independent, protect your new knee, manage swelling and pain, and avoid the bending, twisting, and over-reaching that are difficult in the early weeks.
This is a practical checklist of what genuinely helps, grouped by what each item is for. You do not need everything here, and much of it is inexpensive. Many people find it easiest to get the essentials sorted before the operation, so everything is ready when you come home.
The links below are affiliate links, to Amazon and to Vive Health. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list things that are genuinely useful during recovery.
For getting dressed and reaching
After a knee replacement, bending down to your feet is hard and sometimes not allowed in the early weeks. A few simple aids restore your independence.
A reacher or grabber lets you pick things up off the floor, retrieve dropped items, and manage clothing without bending. It is probably the single most useful recovery gadget.
A sock aid and long-handled shoe horn make putting on socks and shoes possible without reaching your feet, which is otherwise one of the most frustrating early problems.
Many people buy these together as a recovery kit, which works out cheaper than buying each separately.
Shop these: Recovery dressing kit · Grabber reacher
For the bathroom
The bathroom is where many of the trickiest movements happen, and a couple of items make it far safer.
A raised toilet seat reduces how far you have to lower yourself, which protects the knee and is much easier on the early days. Versions with handles give you something to push up from.
A shower stool or chair lets you wash sitting down rather than standing for long periods, which is exhausting and less stable while you heal.
A long-handled sponge means you can wash your lower legs and feet without bending the knee. See our guide on how to shower after surgery for safe washing.
Shop these: Raised toilet seat · Shower stool · Long-handled sponge
For managing swelling and pain
Swelling and pain are constant companions in the early weeks, and a few items make them more bearable. Our swelling after knee replacement guide explains how to use these well.
A wrap-around knee ice pack molds around the whole joint and is far more convenient than loose ice. Cold therapy reduces both swelling and pain, especially after exercises and in the evening.
A leg elevation wedge holds the leg in the raised, straight position needed to drain swelling, and stays put far better than a stack of pillows that slides apart overnight.
Compression stockings support circulation and help control swelling. Your hospital may provide these, but spares are useful.
Shop these: Knee ice wrap · Leg elevation wedge · Compression stockings
For getting around
Moving safely around the home protects you from the falls that are the biggest risk during recovery.
Your walking aids (a frame, crutches, or a stick) will be provided by the hospital, but a comfortable, height-adjustable stick is worth having for the later weeks as you progress.
Non-slip socks or slippers give you grip on smooth floors and reduce the risk of slipping.
A bed rail or grab handle gives you something firm to push up from when getting in and out of bed, which is hard work in the early days. See how to get in and out of bed after surgery.
Shop these: Walking stick · Non-slip socks · Bed rail
For comfort and the long days
Recovery means a lot of time resting, and a few comforts make the slow days easier.
A seat cushion takes the pressure off when you are sitting for long stretches and makes car journeys to appointments more bearable.
An over-bed or sofa table keeps drinks, medication, and your phone within reach so you are not constantly getting up.
A grippy, supportive setup on your favorite chair matters because a chair that is too low is hard to rise from. Choose a firm, higher seat where you can. See how to get up from a chair after surgery.
Shop these: Seat cushion · Over-bed table
The essentials, if you only get a few things
If you would rather keep it simple, these are the items most people are glad they had ready before coming home:
A reacher or grabber. A sock aid. A raised toilet seat. A wrap-around knee ice pack. A leg elevation wedge. Non-slip socks.
Everything else is a nice-to-have you can add if you find you need it. Getting these basics in place before your operation means one less thing to think about when you come home and just want to rest.
If you are willing to invest a little more in things that can genuinely speed up your recovery and comfort, such as a cold therapy machine or an exercise bike, see our companion guide to the best recovery tech for knee replacement.
This checklist is part of our knee replacement recovery series. See the recovery timeline for what to expect at each stage.
*Always follow the specific guidance of your surgical team about which aids and equipment are right for you, as advice varies by individual circumstances.*