How should I prepare my home for joint replacement?
A practical home-readiness checklist for selected outpatient and same-day joint replacement plans.
The direct answer
A safe recovery at home starts before surgery day. The checklist below covers the walking path, seating and sleeping setup, bathroom, meals, rides, and the support person your plan calls for. Your operation and home layout may change what the team recommends.
Clear the path
Walk the route you will actually use, from the car to the bed, bathroom, and kitchen, and fix what would trip you.
- Remove loose rugs and cords from the routes you will walk
- Improve lighting, especially for the first nights
- Put the things you use daily within easy reach, no repeated bending or reaching up
- Plan for pets underfoot
- Set up a firm chair with arms, and a bed you can get in and out of
- Arrange safe bathroom access, with the equipment your team recommends
Make the support plan explicit
Answer these four before surgery day, out loud, with the people involved.
- Who is driving you home
- Who is staying with you, or checking in, for the first day or two
- How prescriptions will be picked up
- Which number you will call with a concern, day or night
Your own instructions come first
This is a general checklist. The instructions provided for your operation outrank it wherever they differ.
Sources and further reading
- Outpatient Total Joint ReplacementAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Total Hip ReplacementAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Total Knee ReplacementAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Neel Patel, M.D. · Clinically reviewed 2026-07-29
Reviewed at least annually, and whenever major clinical guidance, source references, or practice facts change.