Care Pathway

Post-Hip or Knee Replacement

Equipment needs, home health guidance, Medicare coverage, a 30-day care timeline, and questions to ask the doctor.

What Post-Hip or Knee Replacement Means at Home

After hip or knee replacement surgery, your loved one comes home with a functional new joint — but the surrounding muscles, tendons, and tissues need weeks to heal. Daily life in the first month means limited mobility, careful pain management, and strict movement precautions (for hip replacements: no bending past 90 degrees, no crossing legs). The goal is to rebuild strength safely so they can walk independently again, usually within 6 to 12 weeks. The biggest risks at home are falls, blood clots (DVT), and wound infection. Knowing the warning signs — unusual swelling, redness at the incision, calf pain, fever — is as important as the PT exercises. Recovery is real and achievable. Most people come out the other side with a better-functioning joint than they had before surgery.

Typical Equipment Needed

These categories are typically needed for Post-Hip or Knee Replacement. Click any item to find Medicare-approved suppliers near you.

Walker or Front-Wheeled Walker

Essential for safe ambulation in the first weeks. A front-wheeled walker is often easier for joint replacement patients than a standard walker.

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Raised Toilet Seat / Toilet Safety Frame

Prevents dangerous bending at the hip. Critical for hip replacement patients who have a 90-degree precaution.

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Shower Chair or Tub Transfer Bench

Allows safe bathing without standing for extended periods or risking a slip.

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Grab Bars and Bath Safety Equipment

Installed near toilet and shower/tub to provide secure handholds during transfers.

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Knee Brace or Immobilizer

Sometimes prescribed after knee replacement to control range of motion during healing.

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Compression Stockings

Prescribed to prevent blood clots (DVT) after joint replacement surgery.

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Hospital Bed (if bedroom is upstairs)

If the patient cannot safely use stairs, a hospital bed on the main floor eliminates the risk.

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TENS Device for Pain Management

Electrical stimulation can complement medication for post-surgical pain.

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Home Health vs. Just DME

Physical therapy is almost always ordered after joint replacement — DME alone is not sufficient. Most surgeons order in-home PT for the first 2–4 weeks, then transition to an outpatient clinic.

Skilled nursing visits are typically ordered for wound checks, suture/staple removal, and blood thinner monitoring.

Occupational therapy helps with adaptive equipment (hip kit: reacher, sock aid, long-handled shoehorn) and safe techniques for dressing and bathing within movement restrictions.

After the first 4–6 weeks, most patients transition out of skilled home health. At that point, a walker or cane, bath safety equipment, and outpatient PT are the primary supports.

When to Have the Hospice Conversation

This section addresses a difficult but important topic. Hospice is not about giving up â it is about choosing comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Many families say they wish they had started hospice sooner.

Hospice is rarely relevant after an elective joint replacement. However, if your loved one is elderly with multiple serious conditions and recovery is not progressing as expected, it may be appropriate to discuss goals of care with the surgical and primary care team. If comfort rather than recovery becomes the primary goal, a palliative care consultation can help clarify the best path forward.

Learn more about hospice care on DMEHelper

What to Expect in the First 30 Days

Days 1–3

Home Setup & Safety

Confirm walker, raised toilet seat, and bath chair are in place before arriving home
Review all hip/knee precautions with the home health nurse
Begin prescribed home exercises 2–3 times per day
Take pain medications on schedule — not just when pain spikes
Elevate the operative leg to reduce swelling when resting

Week 1

Home PT Begins

First home physical therapy visit — PT assesses mobility and advances exercises
Practice safe transfers: bed, chair, toilet, car
Short walks with the walker multiple times per day, increasing distance
Monitor incision daily for redness, drainage, or increased warmth
Blood thinner medication as prescribed — critical DVT prevention

Week 2

Building Strength

PT continues 3x/week — exercises become more challenging
Walking distances increase; some patients transition to a cane
Shower with chair usually approved by week 2 — confirm with surgeon
Follow-up appointment: incision check, staple/suture removal
Sleep position guidance: pillow between knees for hip replacement

Weeks 3–4

Gaining Independence

Most patients walk household distances independently with a cane
Transition to outpatient PT if able to travel
Driver clearance: typically 4–6 weeks for right-side surgery — ask surgeon
Pain medication tapering — transition to OTC options if appropriate
Discuss return to activities: stairs, longer walks, low-impact exercise

Medicare Coverage Questions

Does Medicare cover physical therapy after joint replacement?

Yes. If you were hospitalized as an inpatient, Medicare Part A covers in-home PT during a qualifying home health period. If you were outpatient (observation status), or once you transition out of home health, Part B covers PT with a 20% copay after deductible.

Does Medicare cover a walker after hip or knee replacement?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers walkers as DME when ordered by a physician as medically necessary. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your Part B deductible.

Does Medicare cover bath safety equipment like raised toilet seats?

Standard raised toilet seats are generally not covered. However, a toilet safety frame or commode may be covered if a physician documents medical necessity. Ask your surgeon to include the order in your discharge paperwork.

What is the difference between inpatient and observation status — and why does it matter?

If you were admitted under observation status rather than inpatient status, Medicare Part A does not cover a skilled nursing facility stay afterward. Ask the hospital before discharge what your status was — it affects your coverage significantly.

Does Medicare cover in-home PT after joint replacement?

Yes, if you meet homebound criteria (leaving home requires considerable effort). A physician must certify that you need skilled PT and are homebound. Medicare-certified home health agencies provide this with no copay.