Best sitting position after knee replacement

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Finding the best chair or recliner to sit in after knee replacement surgery should be at the top of your list. Why? Because you’ll spend a lot of time in your recliner as you rest and recover.

Sitting in a chair after knee replacement surgery doesn’t mean you’ll be relaxing. Although I did enjoy some naps in my chair, I spent a lot of time in my recliner doing exercises to strengthen my leg.

I spent considerable time elevating my leg too but most of my time sitting in my recliner was spent icing my knee after physical therapy sessions.

Needless-to-say finding a comfortable recliner after knee replacement surgery is an important part of recovery. A recliner offers a way to keep your leg straight and/or elevated but it also allows you to stay in a comfortable position while you rest or relax.

In this article we’ll discuss why you should use a recliner after knee replacement, how to sit in a chair after knee replacement, how to ice your knee in a recliner, and we’ll share the best recliners to sit in after knee replacement.

I hope this article, based on my experience with knee replacement, helps you prepare for and recover from knee replacement surgery. The first 2 months after knee replacement were tough, but I’m glad I went through with the surgery and I’m glad I had a comfortable recliner waiting for me when I returned home.

Can You Sit In A Recliner After Knee Replacement Surgery?

Yes, you can sit in a recliner one day after surgery. I was sitting in my recliner (shown in photo: Barcalounger Harvey model) with my knee propped up on a wedge pillow 10 minutes after I returned home from the hospital.

I spent the majority of my time in the recliner the first 3 weeks after surgery. I tried the couch but it was not comfortable for long periods of time.

When I used conventional chairs my leg was down below my waist and it was impossible for me to sit that way for more than 5 minutes without pain (4 to 5 on a 10 point scale).

Even when I was able to go to the table for meals, I kept my surgical knee propped up and elevated on another chair. For me, my recliner was the perfect place to rest, nap, and occasionally sleep.

I would recommend that anybody recovering from TKR invest in a recliner if you don’t already have one.

Why Recliners Are Perfect For TKR Recovery

Recliners are the perfect chair after TKR. They are easy to get in and out of and they are comfortable. After TKR, being comfortable was a high priority for me.

The different sitting positions in a recliner allow you to do multiple activities. It’s much easier to elevate your leg with a wedge pillow while sitting in a recliner.

Some recliners even adjust so that your knee is above your heart and that increases blood circulation. With the use of a wedge pillow, it was easy to ice my knee in the recliner as well.

I was not only comfortable in my recliner, but I was able to read, do crossword puzzles, use a laptop computer, watch TV and even eat sitting in my recliner.  I even did seated exercises (ankle pumps) that my doctor told me to do while sitting in my recliner.

Icing My Knee And Sleeping In My Recliner After Surgery (My Experience) 

I slept better in my recliner than I did in bed during the first two weeks post-TKR. I tossed and turned a lot in bed trying to find different positions that were comfortable.

It was also harder to keep my leg elevated in bed and be comfortable. I never spent the night in the recliner but I took long and frequent naps during those first few weeks.

I tried icing while lying on my bed but looking at the ceiling for 20 minutes was quite boring. It’s much harder to read or do anything when you are flat on your back icing.

I was able to use my ice wrap on my knee in the recliner and do most of the activities that I mentioned above. You can sleep in multiple positions and you can sit up to reach things as well.

My recliner had an added benefit. It is on a swivel and it allowed me to turn and reach objects easily that I had next to the recliner. I cannot imagine doing without a recliner even now 9 weeks post surgery.

How To Sit And Stand From A Recliner After Knee Replacement (Tips)

Getting in and out of my recliner after surgery was relatively easy at all stages of my recovery. When I was using a walker, I gently eased myself down into the recliner while letting go of the walker and placing my hands on the armrests.

Once down I was able to use the adjustment arm on the side to position my legs so that they were comfortable. When getting up I used my good leg to fold down the footrest and then I used the walker to stand up.

Once I transitioned to hiking poles (check out the walking poles I use) I always kept one pole by the recliner. Like the walker, I used the pole or poles to gently sit down. I again used the poles when getting out of the recliner and standing up.

Later when I no longer needed hiking poles, I used the arms of the recliner to ease myself down and to push myself off the chair.

5 Best Recliners After Knee Replacement Surgery

#1 Bonzy Lift Recliner

The Bonzy lift recliner is our number 1 option for a few reasons.

• Lift recliners can be pricey and this is a nice chair at a reasonable price
• Not bulky (32 inches wide x 41 inches tall)
• Comes in 2 color options
• Quiet motor
• Can lift at least 300 lbs

The fabric is a faux leather that makes cleaning easy. You don’t have to worry about spills or sweat soaking into the cloth, it can be wiped up easily.

I also like that it almost lays flat so if you choose to sleep in it sometimes after TKR surgery it will be comfortable. Similar to the Ashley recliner (below) Bonzy uses a remote to make standing and reclining as easy as pushing a button.

The cover has a warranty for 1 year, the reclining mechanism 3 years and the frame also has a 3 year warranty.

Check out the Bonzy price and free shipping on Amazon.

People who purchased the recliner provide solid feedback and mention its role in surgery recovery (hip and knee). They also like that it’s quiet and can lift upwards of 300 lbs.

It provides enough support and comfort without being too bulky – I’m sure it can fit nicely in most homes alongside a couch.

#2 Ashley Furniture Power Lift Recliner

If it wasn’t for the higher price the Ashley Power Lift Recliner would have been our number one option. Ashley is a well-regarded company based out of Arcadia, Wisconsin.

From Wisconsin, Ashley ships to locations all over North America.

They are family owned and have been in business for over 70 years. I like that all of their furniture is assembled in the U.S.

This recliner is perfect for after knee replacement and it will become more useful to seniors as they age. So ultimately it’s not just for knee replacement but should assist you for years after it’s purchased.  Amazon offers free shipping on this Ashley power recliner.

The color is a beautiful brown faux leather (thick poly fiber) and it has plenty of padding if you happen to be large. The foot rest is good for keeping your legs up after TKR even though you’ll still need a good wedge pillow for support.

I especially like the arm rests because they are wide enough to place a book or television remote on.

Highlights:

• Power lift and reclining
• 121 lbs
• Faux leather
• 40 x 35 x 42.5 inches
• Little effort to lean back or stand up
• Comfortable design
• Remote control for the chair
• Side pockets
• 1-year warranty (reclining mechanism has 5-year warranty)

As far as assembly, it’s relatively easy and fits through doors that are 30 inches or wider. If you don’t want to use the automatic lift and recline then you can easily use it in the standard style once your knee gets healthy.

Customers like the style and comfort as well as the Ashley brand. Many reviewers mentioned they have bought multiple chairs from Ashley furniture over the years and continue to come back.

#3 Homall Black Recliner

I wanted to include the Homall recliner for price-conscious individuals. This recliner is faux leather (polyurethane) but it’s quite comfortable and will hold up well over time.

This is one of the best recliners for knee replacement recovery because it looks great with a simple and modern design, yet it doesn’t take up much space in the home. Some recliners are just too bulky and hard to move around (not this one).

At around 100 dollars this is a best seller on Amazon with plenty of reviews to support its effectiveness.

Highlights:

• Manual recliner
• 1-inch high x 20.9 width
• Capacity of 265 lbs
• Lifetime warranty for damage and parts
• Compact and comfortable

Taller individuals might want to look at the other recliners on our list but this is a good chair if you need something compact and lightweight.

The arm rests work great but they are thin. The Homall recliner is something you can sleep and rest in after knee replacement surgery.

#4 Flash Furniture Leather Rocker Recliner

Flash furniture make a great recliner to use after knee replacement. Similar to the Ashley recommendation listed above, this recliner has plenty of space for large people but it’s a manual recliner.

The recliner is made with a proprietary LeatherSoft cover (blend of leather and polyurethane).  The Flash recliner has extra cushion and looks like it’s a perfect place to sleep during recovery or for naps on the weekends.

This recliner will ensure a comfortable place to relax and watch television after TKR surgery.

Highlights:

• Modern, functional design
• Wide arm rests
• Rocker feature
• Manual recline
• 52 lbs
• 43 x 66 x 39 inches
• 2-year warranty for parts

There plenty of positive reviews for this product. Customers like that it doesn’t rock when reclined.

They mention it’s great to sleep in and watch television, but I advise that you don’t get too comfortable otherwise you won’t complete your daily rehabilitation exercises. Amazon has this rocker recliner with free shipping.

Another comment shared that it’s great for tall folks – this recliner is oversized so a good option for taller and wide guys and gals. It comes with a 2-year warranty.

#5 Divano Roma Recliner

The Divano recliner is another chair for TKR recovery and also for those on a budget. It’s not the best recliner but it certainly will help after surgery. It has a wide frame, sufficient padding and oversized for all body sizes.

Divano recliners come in 2 color options (black, brown). It’s also a rocker chair but will remain stationary if you’re in the reclining position.

It uses a durable bonded leather with a hardwood inner frame. Check out the Divano recliner price and reviews on Amazon

Highlights:

• Measures 42 x 40 x 37
• Soft bonded leather
• Reclines to almost flat
• Rocker at seated position
• 2 color options – black and brown

One customer that was 300 lbs shared that the recliner was perfect for him, while other people shared they wish the recliner didn’t rock (if you prefer a stationary option look at the #’s 1,2,3 on our list.

It’s easy to clean with a damp cloth and sweat or stains won’t penetrate deep into the cover.

For the price, this recliner is a good value and the reviews are supportive.

Why A Leather Recliner Is Better Than A Cloth Recliner After TKR

I’m glad I was using a leather recliner after my knee replacement surgery. As I mentioned I spent a lot of time in the recliner sleeping, icing, elevating, and watching the occasional game on television.

Below I’ll outline why I suggest getting a leather recliner versus a cloth recliner. Most of my reasons come from my opinion that leather is easier to clean and won’t stain.

I’ve used cloth recliners in the past and I would not have been happy about sweat or water from ice getting into the chair.

Pros of Leather

• Easier to clean
• Dust doesn’t penetrate chair
• Icing my knee produced some moisture on the chair which was easy to clean
• Don’t have to deal with stains like cloth
• Smells and moisture don’t penetrate the leather

Cons of Cloth

• Catches dust
• Catches moisture
• Catches sweat
• Stains easier (color changes)
• Tends to smell worse if moisture gets into the chair

Conclusion

Having a comfortable recliner is an essential part of knee replacement recovery. Sure you could sit in bed but lying flat and staring at the ceiling is not fun.

You could also sit on a regular chair or on the couch but I promise you’ll have trouble getting comfortable.

As soon as I returned home from the hospital I sat in my recliner. It became my favorite place to:

• Rest
• Do simple exercises
• Nap
• Ice my knee
• Read
• Write
• Do crossword puzzles
• Watch television
• Eat meals

It was the only chair that I could handle for more than 10 minutes because it was adjustable, had a cushion, and elevated my legs. I always used a wedge pillow while icing to get my leg higher than my heart.

In this article, we discussed the best recliners after knee replacement surgery. These options ranged from motorized recliners that help you stand up, to manual recliners that are fairly compact.

The prices ranged from around 100-500 dollars.

Depending on your needs I hope you find a recliner that will be comfortable and effective during your knee replacement recovery.

My rehabilitation wouldn’t have been as comfortable without a quality recliner – it was a lifesaver and helped reduce my pain and swelling.

Hopefully, this article helps guide you in the right direction as you prepare for TKR surgery. I know it’s a serious ordeal. Thanks for reading another one of my articles!