Our knees are vulnerable to wear and tear thanks to daily activities, sports, accidents, being overweight, aging, and disease. Statistics suggest that knee problems are the second most common cause of chronic pain, with one in every three Americans experiencing knee pain at some point.
When one or both your knees start hurting, and non-invasive treatments and pain relievers aren’t helping, it may be time for reconstructive or replacement surgery. Common knee surgeries include:
- Kneecap problems treatment.
- Knee infection (sepsis) treatment.
- Damaged articular cartilage trimming.
- Loose cartilage or bone fragment removal.
- Inflamed connective (synovial) tissue removal.
- Torn meniscus (stabilizing cartilage) repair or removal.
- Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
- Knee replacement (removing damaged parts of the knee joint and replacing them with plastic, ceramic, or metal parts.).
Many knee surgeries are performed arthroscopically—a keyhole technique even used for knee replacements. Even so, after surgery, many experience temporary pain at the site. During this time, especially as you undergo physical therapy, you’ll need a living space that accommodates your needs.
How to Prepare Your Home for Your Recovery
Start by clearing any clutter and ensuring that pathways are open and safe for walking with a helper, walker, or stick. Remove any loose rugs or mats or secure them with double-sided tape to avoid slipping, and if you live in a multi-story house, consider moving downstairs to recover. Investing in a shower chair is also essential after knee surgery, and you can hire or borrow a portable commode if necessary.
Ensure you can access a light or light switch, phone, and charger. When moving around, use a fanny pack or side bag to carry your phone and other necessities. Getting around after knee surgery is easier if your hands are free. If you live alone, have your mail and orders delivered to the doorstep, and get help taking care of pets and getting to your therapy sessions.
Preparing your home for recovery also includes resting the knee in a raised position. You can achieve this elevation in bed or, more commonly, in an appropriate chair, where daily tasks are easier to manage. However, what kind of chair is most suitable for this recovery position?
What to Look for in a Chair for After Knee Repair or Replacement Surgery
You’ll need a chair with firm support and armrests. It should allow your feet to touch the ground and ensure your hips are level with or higher than your knees when sitting upright. These features are essential for sitting down and getting up from the chair safely and comfortably. In addition, a recliner-type chair is ideal for rest with your knee raised and extended to help alleviate pain and make icing, heating, and home exercises less of an effort.
Recliners also allow different positions. These adjustments help accommodate you when elevating your leg, watching TV, reading, sleeping, using your laptop, eating meals, doing seated exercises, and getting up or sitting down. Some options also swivel, allowing even greater versatility. However, with a wide variety of recliners available, which make and model is best for you?
Best Recliners for Recovering From Knee Surgery
Choosing the right recliner for you is vital, as you’ll spend a substantial amount of time – several weeks – in your chair. Your choice should be functional, comfortable, durable, easy to keep clean and match your design style, as you’ll want to keep using it long into the future.
While recliner shapes and features are similar, they can differ in size, material, and color. Leather is easier to clean than cloth and may also be smoother to slip across when getting into or out of the chair. Some user-approved knee surgery recovery recommendations ordered from higher to lower prices include:
The Ashley Furniture Power Lift Recliner
[amazon box=”B072VLKC4P” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7388″ id=”5175″]
This superior quality recliner from a reputable manufacturer is priced higher but worth every cent, especially for longevity as you and your knees age. The spacious chair (40 x 35 x 42.5 inches) comes in brown faux leather with lots of padding to keep you comfy. It also has wide armrests and side pockets for conveniently storing remotes, phones, books, and more.
The Ashley Funiture Power Lift Recliner offers remote-controlled power lifting and reclining. It comes with a one-year warranty on the chair and a five-year warranty on the mechanism.
Overall Customer Score: 4.3 out of 5 stars
| What we like: | What we don’t like: |
| Spacious Lots of padding Side pockets Warranties Easy to keep clean | High price |
The Bonzy Lift Recliner
[amazon box=”B076BCPQBQ” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7389″ id=”5191″]
This top-quality yet affordable faux leather chair has a slim profile for smaller spaces (41 inches tall and 32 inches wide) and is available in two color options. The recliner can also lay almost flat and has assisted stand-sit motion, a USB port, side pockets, heat, and massage features. It offers remote control movement with a quiet motor. Additionally, the Bonzy Lift Recliner comes with a three-year warranty for the frame and mechanism and a one-year warranty for the cover.
Overall Customer Score: 4.2 out of 5 stars
| What we like: | What we don’t like: |
| Suitable for smaller spaces Massage feature Three-year warranty for the frame and mechanism Simple instructions and controls | Motion is slow Fabric is fragile Armrests are hard |
The Flash Furniture Leather Rocker Recliner
[amazon box=”B005XVV3KM” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7390″ id=”5108″]
This manual recliner option is oversized and spacious and made with a proprietary leather-polyurethane blend LeatherSoft cover. Its modern design includes an extra cushion, wide armrests, and a two-year parts warranty. The Flash Furniture Leather Rocker Recliner also has an optional rocker feature when not in recline.
Overall Customer Score: 3.2 out of 5 stars
| What we like: | What we don’t like: |
| An extra cushion Wide armrests Two-year parts warranty Rocker feature | The pleather wears out Mechanism is stiff at first Frame is less durable |
The Divano Roma Recliner
[amazon box=”B017TF2UNI” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7391″ id=”5131″]
Another reliable and functional budget option is the Divano Roma Recliner. This more basic version has everything you need after knee surgery. It reclines to almost flat, with enough padding and a wide hardwood inner frame (42 x 40 x 37 inches) for all body shapes and sizes (including a 300-pound-user). The recliner comes in brown and black soft bonded leather, offering a rocker feature.
Overall Customer Score: 3.7 out of 5 stars
| What we like: | What we don’t like: |
| Rocker feature Hardwood inner frame Reclines close to flat Generous proportions | Back too short for taller people Mechanism is jerky Less durable than pricier options |
The Homall Black Recliner
[amazon box=”B077N51CR2″ template=”horizontal” link_id=”7392″ id=”5197″]
A favorite budget option is the comfortable and durable Homall Black Recliner. The modern faux leather design also looks good, is compact, streamlined, and easy to move, and comes with a lifetime parts and damage warranty. While this manual recliner is ideal for knee surgery recovery, taller individuals may want a larger option, such as the Flash Furniture Leather Rocker Recliner.
Overall Customer Score: 4.3 out of 5 stars
| What we like: | What we don’t like: |
| Compact design Lifetime parts warranty Affordable value | Not suitable for taller people Hard cushioning |
Suggested recliners range in price from $200 to $700. Additionally, you can increase the convenience and value for money of your choice with free shipping from Amazon.
Rest and Recover in Convenient Comfort With the Right Recliner for You
Using a recliner for recovery after knee surgery offers numerous benefits. Advantages include comfort and support, ease of getting up and sitting down, reduced joint strain, an elevated leg position, and a supportive sleeping position if a bed is too flat.
