Following your knee surgery, you will be seen by an occupational therapist, who will instruct you on the use of long-handled devices for lower body dressing and bathing.

Devices

To remain independent with your self care, you may need to use:

• Reacher to dress and pick things up from the floor
• Sock aid to put on socks
• Long-handled sponge to wash your legs and feet
• Leg lifter to move the operated leg in and out of bed or a car

Please purchase the reacher, sock aid, sponge, and leg lifter and bring them with you to the hospital. Your insurance will not cover these items.

During your hospital stay, the occupational therapist will teach you how to use these devices.

These items can be purchased from a medical supply store or from an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) catalog. If you have any questions, call 919-681-2030, and ask to speak with an occupational therapist.

Download the Occupational Therapy Following Total Knee Replacement Handout (PDF, 733 KB)