Undergoing total knee replacement surgery is a significant step toward improving mobility and reducing long-term discomfort. Preparing for the hospital stay beforehand reduces stress and allows you to focus entirely on your initial recovery. A thoughtful packing strategy ensures you have everything required for administrative processes, personal comfort, and the immediate physical demands of post-operative movement. This preparation is key to a smoother rehabilitation period.
Administrative and Medical Essentials
The hospital requires specific documentation to ensure your admission and subsequent care proceed without delay. Bring your photo identification, such as a driver’s license, and all relevant health insurance cards to complete registration.
You must also bring an accurate, updated list of all current medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter items, and herbal supplements, noting their precise dosages. This comprehensive list informs the medical team of potential drug interactions or sensitivities. If you have prepared any advance directives, such as a living will, bringing these documents ensures your preferences regarding care are known and respected.
Personal Comfort Items for the Stay
Packing items that promote psychological ease can make the hospital environment feel less clinical and more restful. Loose-fitting pajamas or a robe that fastens with buttons or a zipper are advisable, as they are easier to put on and take off without excessive knee bending. Pack your own non-skid socks or slippers to enhance stability while walking short distances, as hospital-provided socks may not be sufficient.
A long charging cable for your mobile phone or tablet is helpful if the electrical outlet is not immediately next to your bed. Bringing travel-sized containers of your preferred toiletries provides a welcome sense of normalcy. Reading material, a puzzle book, or a tablet loaded with entertainment helps occupy the time between physical therapy sessions and rest periods.
Mobility and Recovery Aids
The items you pack must directly support your immediate post-surgical mobility and rehabilitation goals. Physical therapy typically begins the day of or the day after surgery, requiring you to dress and move with support. Slip-on shoes are a necessity, as they eliminate the need to bend down to tie laces, which is restricted due to the new knee joint.
Pack very loose, comfortable shorts or sweatpants with an elastic waistband to easily accommodate surgical dressings and expected swelling. The fabric should be thin enough to allow the physical therapist to inspect the joint without fully undressing the leg. Ease of dressing supports early mobilization, which helps prevent complications like blood clots.
A simple yet effective tool to pack is a reacher or grabber device. This item allows you to pick up dropped objects or manipulate items without bending your hips more than 90 degrees or straining your new knee. Maintaining this restriction in the early recovery phase is important for protecting the new joint. A small, firm pillow can also be useful for positioning the knee or ankle for elevation, aiding in managing post-operative swelling.