Total Knee Replacement Checklist
Total Knee Replacement Checklist: What to Have Ready Before Surgery
A total knee replacement is a big surgery—but a little preparation can make the first few days and weeks at home much easier.
At Southern Grit PT, we encourage patients to think beyond the surgery itself and prepare for how you are going to move, eat, sleep, and function once you get home.
Below is our practical total knee replacement checklist.
Important note: Southern Grit PT has no financial relationship, sponsorship, affiliate agreement, or kickback relationship with any of the products or businesses mentioned in this article. These are simply items and resources we have found useful for patients. You should always follow your surgeon’s specific instructions.
☐ 1. Get a pair of no-tie shoelaces
One of our favorite simple upgrades is Lock Laces.
After knee replacement, bending down to tie your shoes can be difficult, and you may not be able to comfortably reach your feet for a while. No-tie laces allow you to turn a normal pair of lace-up sneakers into something you can slip on and off.
Why do we like this?
Because we would rather see you wearing a supportive, well-fitting sneaker than shuffling around the house in loose house slippers. A secure shoe can be especially helpful while you are getting used to your walker and recovering your balance.
☐ 2. Stock your kitchen with protein-rich, easy-to-eat foods
Your body has a lot of work to do after surgery. Adequate calories and protein provide the building blocks needed to support tissue repair and help you maintain muscle while your activity level temporarily decreases.
You don’t necessarily need complicated recipes. In fact, easy is the goal.
Consider having these available before surgery:
Greek yogurt
Protein shakes
Cottage cheese
Eggs
Chicken or turkey
Tuna or other easy-to-prepare protein
Protein bars
Chomps or other convenient meat snacks
Protein-rich soups
Prepared meals with a clear protein source
Consider meal prep
We also like Two Baskets of Figs, a local meal-prep option that provides ready-to-eat meals with the protein, carbohydrate, and fat content listed for each meal.
Their meals can be particularly convenient when standing in the kitchen and cooking feels like a lot of work.
One more important food tip: know how your medications should be taken
After surgery, you may have several medications to manage. Do not assume every medication should be taken with food—or that every medication should be taken on an empty stomach.
Some medications are better tolerated with food, while others need to be taken on an empty stomach or have specific timing requirements.
Before surgery, ask your surgeon or pharmacist:
“Which of my medications should be taken with food, and which should be taken on an empty stomach?”
Having this information written down can make the first few days much easier.
And on the morning of surgery, follow your surgical team’s fasting and medication instructions exactly. (Kaiser Permanente)
☐ 3. Have a rolling walker ready—and have it fitted correctly
Your walker shouldn’t simply be something you borrow from a friend and start using.
The height matters.
Your physical therapist can help adjust your walker so that you are standing as upright as possible with your arms comfortably supported and a slight bend in your elbows.
Ideally, have your walker before surgery so you can practice using it safely.
Even better: have your PT teach you how to:
Stand up and sit down with the walker
Walk safely
Turn
Navigate doorways
Approach stairs
Get in and out of a chair
Get in and out of bed
Use the walker without leaning heavily through your shoulders
AAOS and other patient resources recommend arranging needed mobility equipment before surgery. (Mayo Clinic)
☐ 4. Have an exercise plan ready BEFORE surgery
Don’t wait until you get home from surgery to ask:
“Okay…what am I supposed to do now?”
Your surgeon and physical therapist should provide you with a plan for the immediate postoperative period. If you can receive the program prior to surgery, start practicing early!
Your early program may include things such as:
Quadriceps activation
Glute squeezes
Knee range-of-motion exercises
Getting in and out of bed and a chair
Standing and walking
Gradually increasing walking
Other exercises prescribed specifically for you
The exact program should be individualized based on your surgery, medical history, surgeon’s protocol, and physical therapist’s assessment.
The key is to understand what you are supposed to do on Day 1—not just at your first formal PT appointment.
Physical therapy before surgery can also be valuable. Prehabilitation is intended to optimize strength and function before joint replacement and help patients prepare for the demands of recovery. (Cleveland Clinic)
☐ 5. Make your home boring—and safe
This isn’t the time for an obstacle course.
Before surgery, walk through your home and look for things that could trip you while using a walker.
Consider:
Removing loose throw rugs
Moving cords out of walking paths
Clearing clutter from hallways
Making sure frequently used items are within easy reach
Setting up a comfortable chair with a firm seat and armrests
Creating a sleeping arrangement that doesn’t require unnecessary trips up and down stairs
Adding a shower chair or grab bars if appropriate
Considering a toilet riser if your toilet is low
Mayo Clinic specifically recommends preparing a safer living environment, including removing obstacles, arranging needed bathroom equipment, and having a stable chair available. (Mayo Clinic)
☐ 6. Prepare your “recovery station”
You’re probably going to spend more time sitting and resting than usual at first. It is vital to make sure this is a position where you can keep your knee propped and straight vs just hanging.
Set up a place where you can easily access:
Water bottle
Phone and charger
Medications
Remote control
Books or entertainment
Ice or your surgeon-approved cold therapy device
Snacks
Walker
Think “everything I need without getting up 15 times.”
☐ 7. Have a plan for transportation and help
Don’t assume you’ll be completely independent immediately.
Arrange for someone to help with:
Getting home from surgery
Meals
Groceries
Laundry
Pet care
Transportation to appointments
Household chores
Your needs will vary depending on your health, home environment, surgical approach, and support system, but having help available is much easier than trying to find it after surgery. (Mayo Clinic)
☐ 8. Ask about your medications BEFORE surgery
Make a complete list of everything you take—including:
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter medications
Vitamins
Supplements
Herbal products
Your surgical team will tell you what needs to be stopped, what can be continued, and what should be taken on the day of surgery. Don’t stop medications on your own. (OrthoInfo)
It’s also a good idea to understand your postoperative medication schedule before you leave the hospital.
☐ 9. Know your surgeon’s rules—and your PT’s plan
Not every knee replacement recovery looks exactly the same.
Before surgery, know:
When your first PT appointment will be
What exercises you should begin immediately
How much walking is expected
What your weight-bearing restrictions are, if any
How to manage your incision
When you can shower
When you should call your surgeon
What signs or symptoms require urgent medical attention
Your surgeon’s instructions take priority over anything you read online—including this article.
Your Total Knee Replacement “Ready to Go” Checklist
Before surgery, make sure you have:
Supportive sneakers with no-tie laces
Rolling walker fitted to the appropriate height
Easy-to-prepare, protein-rich foods
Convenient protein snacks/shakes
A medication plan
Your postoperative exercise program
A safe, uncluttered walking path
A comfortable chair with armrests
Bathroom safety equipment if needed
A recovery station with frequently used items within reach
Transportation arranged
Someone available to help during the first few days
Your first PT appointment scheduled
Your surgeon’s postoperative instructions written down
The goal isn’t to make recovery perfect.
The goal is to make it easier to do the right things.
A knee replacement gives you a new joint. What you do with it afterward—how you move, eat, exercise, and gradually rebuild strength—is a big part of the recovery process.
Prepare before surgery so you can focus on getting better after surgery.
This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always follow the instructions provided by your surgeon and healthcare team.
