Free Resource
ACL Surgery Recovery

Your Post-Op
Readiness
Checklist

Everything you need to have (and know) before you come home from the hospital. Built from my patient's experiences and clinical best practices.

Albin Mutholam, PT, DPT, OCS Complex Knee Program Director For Patients & Caregivers
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Cold & Compression Therapy ▼
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Cold therapy machine / cryo cuff Game Ready, Breg Polar Care, or similar. Continuously circulates cold water through a knee cuff; some models add intermittent compression. Can often be rented through your surgical center.
💡 Ask your surgeon if they have a rental program before buying.
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10–15 mini water bottles frozen — rotating backup supply for cold therapy machines when the reservoir runs low. You can 5-7 of these instead of ice
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2–3 backup gel ice packs — for PT visits, car rides, and portability.
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Compression stockings — helps reduce DVT risk in the early post-op period. Best if they cover your toes. And stylish too!
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Rest & Elevation Setup ▼
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Leg elevation wedge or pillow — prop your knee at least 12 inches above heart level until the swelling is under control.
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Multiple bed & couch pillows — for repositioning throughout the day. You will be moving more than you expect.
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Sleep positioning note: keep the knee elevated but avoid bending it — place a pillow under your heel or calf, not directly under the knee joint.
💡 You'll be in your brace, so many patients find sleeping in a recliner the first 1–2 nights more comfortable than a bed.
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Lap tray or bedside table — for eating, using a laptop, or keeping meds within reach without having to get up.
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Mobility Aids ▼
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Crutches — properly fitted before surgery day. Practice using them before your operation. Know how to navigate stairs and curbs.
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Post-op knee brace — wear it everywhere except during prescribed exercises and showering. Typically needed for 2–6 weeks depending on your surgeon's protocol.
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Small backpack or fanny pack — hands-free carrying while on crutches. One of the most consistent tips from ACL recovery communities. Carrying a water bottle or snack is otherwise nearly impossible.
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Non-slip grip socks — reduces fall risk on hardwood or tile floors while on crutches. Ask the nurses at the hospital for some extras!
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Bathroom & Hygiene ▼
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Shower stool or chair — non-negotiable for the first 1–2 weeks. Standing in a shower on one leg is unsafe and exhausting.
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Removable shower head — allows you to direct water without rotating the body.
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Non-slip bath mat — place inside and outside the tub.
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Toilet seat riser + grab bars — sitting down and standing up from a standard toilet height is harder than expected with a stiff, swollen knee.
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Waterproof leg cover or large trash bag — to keep your incisions dry while showering. A standard kitchen trash bag secured above the knee works fine.
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Dry shampoo and body wipes — for the first 48–72 hours before showering is permitted.
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Clothing ▼
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Loose, wide-leg shorts and pants — pulling on fitted clothing without bending your knee or standing on one leg is much harder than it sounds. Stock enough for a week.
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Tear-away or snap-side pants — especially useful if you're wearing a bulky post-op brace. These allow you to dress without removing the brace.
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Slip-on shoes — no laces, no bending. We love Crocs for this exact reason.
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Nutrition & Gut Health ▼
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High-fiber foods stocked ahead of time — pears, avocado, oat bran, chia seeds. Opioid pain medications cause constipation reliably. Target 25–30g of fiber per day starting from day 1.
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Stool softener or fiber supplement on standby — You can also try White Castle to loosen things up. Check with your surgeon.
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High-protein meals prepped or accessible — chicken, eggs, Greek yogurt, protein shakes. Muscle recovery demands adequate protein, especially with quads that will be shutting down from arthrogenic inhibition.
💡 Aim for 0.73 - 1.0 grams of protein/ lb of bodyweight during early recovery to minimize muscle loss.
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Omega-3s, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Calcium — these micronutrients support tissue repair and bone healing. Talk to your surgeon or PT about supplementation.
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Easy-grab snacks always within reach — never take pain medication on an empty stomach. Keep snacks on your recovery station at all times.
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Medications & Wound Care ▼
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Prescription pain meds filled before surgery day — you will not want to stop at a pharmacy on the way home. Fill prescriptions 1–2 days ahead.
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OTC backup: Tylenol and/or ibuprofen — many post-op protocols use scheduled Tylenol + ibuprofen alternating to reduce opioid reliance. Confirm with your surgeon.
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Wound care supplies — extra gauze, medical tape, and non-stick pads. Your surgical team will give instructions; having extras at home saves unnecessary stress.
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Medication log or alarm — pain management works best on a schedule in the first 48–72 hours. Use your phone alarm or a written log to stay consistent.
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Home Environment Setup ▼
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Dedicated recovery station — water bottle, phone charger (10ft cable... trust me), snacks, TV remote, meds, and ice all within arm's reach. You will be there a lot.
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Remove tripping hazards — loose rugs, extension cords, pet toys. Do a walk-through before surgery day. Falls on crutches are a real risk.
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Single-floor setup if possible — arrange to avoid stairs for week 1. If not possible, identify which bathroom is most accessible from your sleeping area.
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Pet containment plan — our furry friends are a tripping hazard on crutches and can bump into your knee. Have a plan before you get home.
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Phone charger at knee height — reaching down to a floor-level outlet on one leg is a fall waiting to happen. Reposition or use an extension cord.
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Support System & Mental Prep ▼
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Map out your support team's availability — the first 1–2 weeks require help with cooking, changing, and bathing. Build a rotation so no one person is burned out.
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Confirm your ride home and first-night caregiver — you cannot drive. Anesthesia + pain meds mean you will need someone overnight on day 1. Have them record their post-op conversation with the surgeon
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PT appointment scheduled within the first 1–2 weeks — do not wait. Early quad activation and swelling management are critical. The longer you wait, the more muscle you lose.
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Entertainment loaded and ready — you will be on the couch for 1–2 weeks. Queue up audiobooks, shows, podcasts, and games before surgery day.
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Know that kinesiophobia (fear of re-injury) is real and common — trust your PT's clearance criteria. Anxiety and avoidance can slow your return to sport more than the physical tissue itself.
💡 Talk to your PT about the mental side of rehab early. It matters just as much as the physical work.
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Red Flags — When to Call Your Surgeon ▼
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Calf pain, redness, or swelling — especially if localized and acute. This is a potential sign of DVT (blood clot). Call your surgeon or go to urgent care immediately.
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Fever above 101°F (38.3°C) — possible sign of infection. Do not wait to see if it passes.
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Incision drainage, significant redness, or warmth — some drainage and bruising is normal. A change in color, smell, or amount warrants a call.
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Worsening rather than improving pain after day 3 — gradual decline in pain is expected. Worsening pain after the initial 2–3 days should be assessed.
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Inability to lift the leg at all (straight leg raise) — while quad weakness is expected, a complete inability to perform an SLR may indicate an extensor mechanism issue. Discuss with your PT at your first visit.

This checklist is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Recovery protocols vary depending on surgical technique, graft type, and individual patient factors. Always follow the specific instructions of your surgeon and physical therapist. If you have questions about your recovery, contact your clinical team directly.