Recovery After Knee, Hip & Leg Surgery: The Complete Equipment Guide (Knee Replacement, ACL & More)

A Mobility Plus buying guide — family-run and Kiwi-owned since 2005.

Quick answer: After knee, hip or leg surgery — a knee replacement, hip replacement, ACL reconstruction, or a foot/ankle repair — the equipment that helps most falls into six groups: something to walk with (a knee walker or crutches early on, stepping down to a rollator then a stick); a way to elevate and cool the leg (an elevation cushion and a circulating cold-therapy cuff instead of ice packs); comfort for resting and sleeping (bed wedge, backrest, body and knee pillows); an easy-to-rise chair (a rehab or lift chair); bathroom safety (shower stool, raised toilet seat, toilet surround); and reaching and dressing aids (reacher, sock aid, long shoehorn) so you don't bend or twist. The exact mix depends on your surgery — always follow your surgeon and physiotherapist.

The surgery is over; now the recovery does the real work. The right equipment keeps you safe, comfortable and moving the way your physio wants — and stops the little daily battles (getting off the toilet, keeping the leg elevated, reaching the floor) from setting you back. Here's the complete kit, grouped by what you actually need it to do.

1. Getting moving again

Your physio decides your walking aid, but here's the usual path:

• Non-weight-bearing (ACL, foot, ankle, some knee surgery): a knee walker / knee scooter keeps all weight off the operated leg while you stay mobile and hands-free. See the Freiheit Knee Walker – $629.95 or the Heavy-Duty 180kg version – $954.95.
• Crutches: Forearm/Elbow Crutches – $69.95 or Under-Arm Crutches – $99.95.
• Early stability: a stable two-wheel walking frame – $249.99.
• Stepping down: a seated rollator to rest as you build distance — ECO Lite Rollator – $249.95 or Freiheit Freedom – $479.95. A walker with a tray – $389.95 lets you carry a cuppa or a plate while your hands are on the frame.

As you get stronger, most people step down from a frame to a walking stick. Browse our walking sticks & canes and set it to the right height with our cane sizing guide. New to walkers? Our Rollator vs Walker guide explains the difference.

2. Elevating and cooling the leg (the part people underestimate)

Keeping the leg elevated controls swelling, and cold therapy manages pain and inflammation — both are central to knee and ACL recovery.

• Elevation: the iCare Reform Knee Support Cushion – $194 is moulded to raise the knee or heel, and the iCare Leg Raiser Cushion – $179.95 elevates the whole lower leg in bed or on the couch.
• Cold therapy without the mess of ice packs: the iCare HydroSense System – $878 circulates temperature-controlled water through a body attachment, so cooling stays consistent instead of a bag of peas warming up in ten minutes. Pair it with the HydroSense Leg & Foot Cuff – $172 for the knee and lower leg. (Always follow your surgeon's advice on cold therapy timing.)

3. Resting and sleeping comfortably

Sleep is when you heal, and a sore leg makes it hard to get comfortable.

• ActiveX Bed Wedge – $89.95 and Adjustable Bed Backrest – $81.95 to sit up in bed without straining.
• iCare Body Pillow – $189 and iCare Conform Pillow – $129.95 to stay supported and comfortable.
• ActiveX Contoured Knee Cushion – $49.95 between the knees for side-sleeping.
• Hip replacement: the iCare Hip Abductor Cushion – $198 keeps the hips correctly positioned overnight.

4. A chair you can actually get out of

Low, soft chairs are hard — and risky — after leg surgery. You want a firm, higher seat and, ideally, powered help to stand.

• Rehab / day chairs give firm support and a proper sitting height: Viking Rehab Chair – $628.95 or the iCare Hoffman Day/Rehab Chair – $1,299.95, with an optional Viking Legrest – $378.95 for elevation.
• Lift chairs rise to help you stand with no strain on the leg. The Infinite Position Lift Chair – $1,899.95 or the Zero Gravity Tilt-in-Space – $2,099.99 elevate the legs above the heart for swelling and pressure relief.
• Short recovery? Ask us about hiring a chair rather than buying.
• A Swivel Seat – $69.95 makes turning to get in and out of the car or a chair far easier.

5. Bathroom safety

• Shower: Heavy-Duty Shower Stool with Arms – $179.95, Compact Rotating Shower Stool – $99.95, or a bath board – $198.95 to slide across the bath.
• Toilet: a Raised Toilet Seat – $199.95 plus a Toilet Surround Frame – $179.95 reduce how far you lower and how hard you push up.
• Washing without bending: a Long-Handled Bath Sponge – $23.95 reaches your lower legs and feet, and a clamp-on Bath Grab Bar – $138.95 gives a secure handhold getting in and out.

Browse all bathroom aids.

6. Reaching and dressing without bending

• The classic "hip kit": a Reacher – $33.95, a Sock Aid – $29.95 and a Long Shoehorn – $24.95 — or grab the sock aid and shoehorn together in the No-Bend Bundle – $49.95. These are the exact aids surgeons recommend to keep you inside your hip precautions (no bending past 90°).
• A Long-Handled Lotion Applicator – $29.95 lets you moisturise your lower legs and feet without reaching, and the Cubro Leg Lifter – $69.95 moves the operated leg into bed or the car.
• For gentle rehab movement, a Folding Pedal Exerciser – $109.95 keeps circulation going (only when your physio okays it).

Prefer a ready-made recovery kit?

If you'd rather not choose each item one by one, our home-recovery bundles gather the walking, bathroom and reaching aids most people need coming home — usually cheaper than buying separately:

• The Essential Homecomer — walker, shower stool, non-slip mat and raised toilet seat for the first days home.
• The Independent Homecomer — shower stool with arms, raised toilet seat, magnetic reacher and a self-standing walking stick.
• The Safe & Steady Bundle — walker or rollator, 'with arms' toilet seat and shower stool, long reacher and non-slip mat for anyone unsteady on their feet.
• The At-Home Support Bundle — the most complete set: rollator with seat, bed lever, over-toilet frame, shower chair, handheld shower and non-slip mat.

See every kit compared side by side in our bundles & starter kits guide.

Can I get this equipment funded?

Often, yes. If your surgery followed an injury, ACC may cover equipment; otherwise WINZ assistance may help. We provide free written quotes for applications — see our WINZ & ACC funding guide or email info@mobilityplus.co.nz.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need after a knee replacement?
Most people need a walking aid (frame or crutches stepping down to a stick), a way to elevate and cool the knee, a firm chair that's easy to rise from, bathroom aids (shower stool, raised toilet seat), and reaching/dressing aids (reacher, sock aid, long shoehorn) to avoid bending. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will confirm what suits your recovery.

What do I need for ACL surgery recovery?
ACL recovery often starts non-weight-bearing, so a knee walker or crutches, plus leg elevation and cold therapy for swelling, are key early on. A pedal exerciser and rehab support come later, guided by your physio.

How do I keep my leg elevated after knee surgery?
A moulded knee-elevation cushion or a leg-raiser cushion supports the leg above heart level in bed or on the couch. A tilt-in-space or infinite-position lift chair does the same while seated.

Is a cold-therapy machine better than ice packs?
A circulating cold-therapy system holds a steady temperature for much longer than an ice pack, which warms up quickly — many people find it more convenient and consistent. Always follow your surgeon's guidance on how and when to use cold therapy.

Should I buy or hire a lift chair for recovery?
If you only need it for a few weeks, hiring can be more economical; if the need is ongoing, buying makes more sense. We can advise on both.

We'll help you build the right recovery kit

Tell us about your surgery and what you're finding hard, and we'll put together the right set — no more than you need — and quote it for funding if that helps. Call 022 022 9956 or email info@mobilityplus.co.nz. Family-run, 100% Kiwi-owned, helping New Zealanders move more freely since 2005.

Please note: This is general information, not medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions from your surgeon and physiotherapist — including any limits on bending, weight-bearing and cold-therapy use.

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