Most people focus on the surgery itself. The recovery at home is where the real preparation gap shows up.
Hospitals discharge patients quickly. What you come home to — the height of your toilet, the layout of your bathroom, whether you can safely get in and out of a chair — matters more than most people anticipate before the procedure. The right equipment in place before surgery day makes the first few weeks at home significantly safer and more manageable.
This guide covers what's commonly needed after the most frequent orthopedic and general surgeries, what insurance typically covers, and how to get equipment delivered before you come home.
Ordering and setting up equipment after you're already home from surgery is harder than it sounds. Mobility is limited, energy is low, and making phone calls and waiting for deliveries while managing pain and recovery is genuinely difficult.
The better approach is to assess your home, identify what you'll need, and have everything in place before the day of your procedure. APA Medical can work with you and your care team in advance to make sure the right equipment is ready when you get home.
Call 612-722-9000 or contact us online to start the process before your surgery date.
Every recovery is different, and your doctor's instructions take priority over any general guide. That said, certain equipment needs come up consistently for specific types of procedures.
Hip replacement recovery involves strict movement precautions — particularly avoiding bending the hip past 90 degrees in the early weeks. Standard furniture creates problems immediately.
Commonly needed equipment:
Knee replacement recovery focuses on managing swelling, maintaining extension (keeping the leg straight), and safely navigating movement during the first 4–6 weeks.
Commonly needed equipment:
Back surgery recovery — whether for spinal fusion, discectomy, or other procedures — involves avoiding bending, lifting, and twisting, and managing pain while maintaining enough mobility to prevent deconditioning.
Commonly needed equipment:
Regardless of surgery type, several categories of equipment apply broadly:
Mobility aids: Walkers, crutches, and canes are often prescribed. APA Medical carries a full range and can fit them correctly before your procedure.
Bedside commode: Useful for any patient whose bedroom is not adjacent to a bathroom, or for whom nighttime bathroom trips present a fall risk in the first weeks of recovery.
Incontinence supplies: Temporary incontinence is not uncommon following surgery — particularly after abdominal, prostate, or gynecological procedures. Having supplies on hand avoids an uncomfortable situation during the first days home. APA carries a full range of incontinence products including pads, pull-ups, briefs, and chucks.
Compression stockings: Frequently prescribed after surgery to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). APA carries medical-grade compression stockings in multiple compression levels and sizes.
Therapeutic supplies: Heating pads, back pillows, and hand exercisers or therapy balls support comfort and early rehabilitation as directed by your care team.
Post-surgical DME coverage varies by procedure, insurer, and medical necessity determination. Generally speaking:
Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment — including walkers, crutches, commodes, and hospital beds — when ordered by a physician and supplied by a Medicare-enrolled DME provider. APA Medical is a Medicare-enrolled supplier.
Raised toilet seats and grab bars have a more limited coverage path through standard Medicare, but may be covered through Medicare Advantage plans or Minnesota Medicaid waiver programs depending on the diagnosis and documentation.
Lift chair mechanisms may be covered under Medicare Part B when prescribed as medically necessary for a specific diagnosed condition.
Incontinence supplies may be covered through Medicaid waiver programs when part of a documented care plan.
The clearest path to coverage is to work with APA Medical before your surgery date. We verify your benefits, confirm what documentation is needed, and coordinate with your care team so nothing is delayed after discharge.
Call 612-722-9000 or contact us online to start the coverage verification process.
What equipment do I need after hip replacement surgery? Most commonly: a lift chair, raised toilet seat with handles, grab bars, shower chair or transfer bench, long-handled reacher, and a walker or crutches as prescribed. Your surgeon will provide specific movement precautions that determine which products are most critical.
Does insurance cover equipment after surgery? Medicare Part B covers prescribed DME — walkers, crutches, commodes, and similar equipment — when ordered by a physician through a Medicare-enrolled supplier. Coverage for other items varies by plan and diagnosis. APA verifies your benefits before any purchase is made.
What is a raised toilet seat and do I need one after surgery? A raised toilet seat adds height to the toilet — typically 2–6 inches — reducing how far you need to lower yourself and how much effort is needed to stand. After hip or knee replacement, this keeps the joint in a safe range during one of the day's most demanding movements. Most surgeons recommend one for the first 6–12 weeks post-surgery.
Can APA deliver post-surgery equipment before I get home? Yes. We coordinate delivery and setup before your surgery date so everything is in place when you return home. Call 612-722-9000 to discuss timing.
How long will I need post-surgery equipment? It depends on the procedure and your recovery. Some equipment — like a temporary raised toilet seat or walker — may only be needed for a few weeks. Others, like grab bars or a lift chair, are often kept permanently once patients experience how much easier daily life is with them in place.
APA Medical helps patients and families prepare for home recovery throughout the Twin Cities. We verify insurance coverage, coordinate delivery and installation before your surgery date, and carry everything covered in this guide.
Call 612-722-9000 or contact us online to get started.
For bathroom safety equipment specifically, see our bathroom safety equipment guide. For lift chair options and coverage, see our lift chair benefits guide and lift chair product page. For wheelchair ramp options if you'll be using a mobility device at home, see our modular wheelchair ramps guide.