Pre-Surgery Checklist: Preparing Your Home for Crutch Use

Preparing your home for crutch use can make recovery safer and easier. Before surgery, focus on creating clear pathways, making room-specific adjustments, and setting up essential equipment. Here’s how to get started:

Clear Pathways: Remove tripping hazards like rugs, secure cords, and ensure walkways are at least 36 inches wide.
Room Adjustments: Add grab bars in bathrooms, organize kitchen essentials at counter height, and set up a bedside "command center."

Safety Equipment: Install non-slip mats, use motion-sensor lighting, and test crutches on all flooring types.

Taking these steps can reduce fall risks by up to 30% and support a smoother recovery process. Let’s dive into the details!

Tips for Living with Crutches after Surgery

Making Safe Paths Through Your Home

Start by addressing the basics to ensure your home is safe and easy to navigate.

Remove Hazards and Clear Space

Take immediate steps to eliminate tripping risks:

Get rid of throw rugs or secure them with double-sided carpet tape.

Tape down or move electrical cords so they run along walls.
Fix loose carpeting through professional services.
Replace temporary door thresholds with ramps for smoother transitions.

Check Path Width and Secure Floors

Ensure pathways meet these key requirements:

Main walkways should be at least 36 inches wide, straight, and unobstructed.
Doorways should measure 32-36 inches wide; use offset hinges if needed in narrow spaces.

Use non-slip treatments on slippery floors.
Place non-slip mats with firmly secured edges near sinks and entryways.

Set Up Night Lighting

Once pathways are physically secure, focus on improving visibility:

Install motion-sensor lights in key areas like:

Staircases
Hallway intersections

Bathroom entrances
Bedroom doorways

For continuous low-level lighting, try plug-in motion-sensor night lights along baseboards. These are simple to install and don’t require altering walls.

"Patients who followed a comprehensive home preparation checklist had 47% fewer accidents during the first month of recovery compared to those who didn’t."

Room-by-Room Changes

Once the main pathways are secure, focus on making individual rooms safer and easier to navigate.

Bathroom Safety Setup

The bathroom is a high-risk area, with 80% of home falls happening here. To improve safety, install grab bars near the toilet and shower at a height of 33-36 inches. These bars should support at least 250 pounds.

Here are some tips to make showering safer:

Use a shower chair or transfer bench designed to handle weight safely.
Install a handheld showerhead for flexibility.
Place non-slip mats both inside and outside the shower.

Add suction-handle grips as temporary support if needed.

The CDC states these adjustments can lower fall risks by up to 50%. To keep essentials within reach, consider adding an over-the-toilet shelving unit.

Bedroom Setup

Set your bed height between 20-23 inches (measured from the floor to the mattress top) to make getting in and out easier, especially when using crutches.

Set up a "command center" next to your bed for convenience:

Use a sturdy bedside table to hold medications, water, and devices.
Install touch-activated lamps for better visibility at night.

Add charging stations for electronics.
Attach a bed rail to assist with transfers.

The American Occupational Therapy Association found that 78% of patients felt more independent after improving their bedroom setup.

Kitchen Setup

Arrange frequently used items on shelves at counter height (15-48 inches). According to the National Institute on Disability, this adjustment can boost independence in meal preparation by 60%.

For safer and more efficient cooking:

Use a rolling cart to move items without carrying them by hand.

Replace traditional faucet handles with lever-style ones for easier use.
Switch to electric appliances like can openers and kettles.
Stock your freezer with pre-made meals in microwave-safe containers.

"Proper kitchen modifications increased patient confidence in meal prep by 87% and reduced falls by 62% over six months (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, 2023)."

Lastly, wear a backpack or fanny pack to carry items hands-free.

Safety Checks for Crutch Use

Once you’ve adjusted your living space, it’s time to perform these final checks to ensure everything is ready:

Check Floor Safety

Test how your crutches handle different flooring types. Pay close attention to areas where floors change, as these can be tricky. Here’s what to do:

Test crutch tips on both dry and wet surfaces to ensure they grip well.
Inspect floor joints and thresholds to confirm they’re stable.
Make sure non-slip mats stay firmly in place and don’t slide around.

Also, check that all flooring is securely attached and free of cracks or damage that could snag your crutch tips.

Test Space for Crutch Movement

Using crutches comfortably requires enough room. Standard crutches need at least 28 inches of clearance to move through spaces easily. According to the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, well-planned spaces can lower the risk of falls by up to 30% for those using mobility aids .

Evaluate the key areas in your home:

Area Type	Minimum Requirements
Doorways	28-inch clearance
Turning Space	5-foot diameter circle
Reach Zone	15-48 inches from the floor

Practice moving through doorways and ensure you can reach essential controls without straining.

Set Up Emergency Contact Plan

The American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of multiple ways to call for help . Place accessible devices in key areas like living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms – use waterproof containers for bathroom devices.

Prepare an emergency contact card with vital information and arrange for daily check-ins. Keep a fully charged cell phone within easy reach at all times .

Required Tools and Equipment

Once room layouts are optimized, make sure to set up these key tools and equipment for added convenience and safety:

Support Bars and Rails

Install grab bars in bathrooms and showers to provide sturdy support. Place them at a height of 33-36 inches in bathrooms and about 6 inches above the tub rim in showers. For a reliable option, check out the Vive Grab Bar, which has earned a 4.6/5 star rating from over 9,000 users. It’s rust-resistant and durable, though professional installation is recommended . These bars enhance the safety measures already discussed for bathrooms.

Bathroom Safety Equipment

Handheld showerheads and raised toilet seats with armrests are must-haves for bathroom safety. A popular choice is the Drive Medical Bathroom Safety Shower Tub Bench Chair, which combines comfort with stability. With a 4.7/5 star rating from more than 37,000 reviews, it’s a trusted option for many households .

Easy-Access Storage

Make storage more accessible to avoid unnecessary bending, especially for those using crutches or other mobility aids. Here are some practical solutions:

Rolling carts to transport items easily between activity zones
Waist-level organizers for medications and daily essentials

Over-door storage pockets for frequently used items
Pull-out shelves in lower cabinets to reduce the need for bending

These adjustments can help create a safer and more convenient living environment.

Conclusion

Getting your home ready before surgery can make a big difference in your recovery. Studies show that proper preparation can lower the risk of falls by 30% and help you recover faster.

Once you’ve adjusted pathways, set up the necessary equipment, and made room modifications, it’s time to focus on the finishing touches. Here’s what to do:

Test your equipment thoroughly to ensure everything works as intended.

Double-check all installations to confirm they meet safety standards.
Clear all pathways to prevent any obstacles that could cause accidents.

You can also ask your hospital’s discharge team about scheduling an occupational therapy home assessment. Many senior centers and healthcare organizations offer additional resources to help you prepare.

Work closely with your surgical team and local support services to create a safe and supportive environment for your recovery.

FAQs

How do I prepare my house for after surgery?

Here are the key areas to focus on:

Clearance: Ensure pathways are at least 36 inches wide for easy movement. (Check out the "Making Safe Paths" section.)

Room Readiness: Add grab bars in the bathroom and adjust layouts in the kitchen and bedroom for convenience. (See "Room-by-Room Changes" for tips.)
Emergency Access: Keep phones or alert devices within easy reach, and make sure your flooring is slip-resistant. (Details in "Safety Checks.")

Additional Tips:

Add motion-sensor nightlights in hallways and bathrooms for better visibility at night.
Remove any throw rugs and secure larger carpets with non-slip backing.
Always have a charged phone or medical alert device nearby.

For more in-depth advice, revisit the sections mentioned above.