Products People Have Found Useful
Note: This is not a shopping site. Nothing is directly for sale here. However, many of these links are affiliate links, meaning this site might get a small percentage of any sales used to pay for hosting, etc. In any case, this is for product ideas, not endorsements. Just check them out and then search for similar things that fit you best.
The goal isn’t to load up on every item. It’s to make you aware of what others have found useful and for you to consider if you need it yourself. Some items might be findable from loan closets or used on eBay, or other marketplaces. You don’t want to waste money on gear you only need for a short time. However, anything you think you might need is best acquired before you need it, especially if you’re going to be handling your post surgery days mostly on your own. Some things, like custom/special crutches, you might only need for a handful of weeks or less. Others, like yoga/stretching straps, are likely useful forever.
Several brands available. This one is a bit large but gives you an idea of what’s available. Check out related items.
No rinse body wipes can freshen you up and keep you clean for the times you can’t get to shower or bath. (Which might be several days at a time initially.)
Leg pillows with channels help keep leg in place, braced or not. Make sure to get something with adjustable height.
Easier to put on and take off when you can’t bend a leg. There are many versions, shorts, etc. (Search for “adaptive clothing” for wide selection.) (Shorts on Amazon, Adaptive Clothing Search Results)
Flexible for use for sleeping on back with slight incline or using vertically for working/reading from bed. (Also maybe useful for leg, but leg-specific pillow likely better for that.)
These are good for general compression, but also to protect wound sites, help keep braces from slipping, and more. MAKE SURE to follow measurement instructions for whatever product you buy. These are often not returnable.
There are variations of such things for men and women. Useful if it may be hazardous to get to bathroom at night, if unstable from pain or pain meds, etc. (This is primarily designed for males)
There are variations of such things for men and women. Useful if it may be hazardous to get to bathroom at night, if unstable from pain or pain meds, etc. (This unit is unisex and may be adjusted as necessary.)
These are for helping you get clothes on and off, but can really reach for a lot of things; like window shade pulls, light/fan chain pulls, and similar.
Pre or post op, if you’re knee is unstable and you want to swim, this can be helpful when you can’t get your other brace wet. Make sure to follow measurement instructions carefully to get correct size.
These are good for rolling out quads or calves, etc. after working out alone when you don’t have a therapist to help get any post workout problems out.
Small bag to attach to crutch to carry wallet, phone, water bottle.
You’ll probably be using something similar at physical therapy. It’s good to also get in workouts at home.
Knee sled designed to work on flexion. Allows for easy performance of heel slide stretch to improve Range of Motion (ROM).
This is a great option to wear to rehab!
Check these out, but also look at related items. You want to make sure you have a set that’s adjustable to your range. Typically, you’ll start with 1 lb, then 2, then maybe more. (But not necessarily. Work with your PT to figure out what you might need at home.)
There’s a lot of these gel wraps out there. This one works nicely as you can use one or both gel packs. The description says “one size fits all” but there’s actually a “small/medium” and a “large” size as of June, 2025. On the company’s knee ice pack page though, there’s only one universal size. (I’m 5’10” M, 185 lbs, avg. build. For me the Medium works best.) They may be transitioning how they do the sizes, so it’s a little confusing as there’s not good guidance on the different sizes still on Amazon.)
This is a simple model that will work in the shower. There are many of these though, and they do make wider ones that can straddle a bathtub side, which may be useful if that’s your only option.
This is a clever device to use gravity to help with knee extension. I wouldn’t consider using this without consultation with doctor or physiotherapist though. If it’s useful for you, you’ll want to talk to your healthcare providers to make sure to get the method, weights and duration correct. (But for a cheap version, if you have an old small backpack around, you might be able to just put some weight in it and slide the straps on your leg.)
While many athletes and others may use TENS mode for pain relief, it’s the EMS mode that – for some – can help work to reactivate quad function post ACL surgery. While consumer units may be less powerful than the pro versions in physio offices, use of something like this is also on the list of definitely consult with your healthcare providers first to avoid doing damage.
Huge help when in bed. Great for working, lounging, dining; especially that first week or two. Works great with a wedge pillow oriented to vertical / sitting.