Knee surgery recovery gifts can make the difficult recovery just a little bit easier! No matter what time of year it is, consider giving your loved one a little pick-me-up after their knee surgery.
Whether you’re shopping for someone else, or searching for some helpful gifts to ask for after ACL surgery this holiday season, this guide has you covered.
After recovering from three knee surgeries (ACL + meniscus repair, and two partial meniscectomies) here are some of the gifts I’d find the most helpful:
Knee Surgery Gifts Under $15
As the saying goes, gifts don’t have to be expensive to be useful! There are plenty of budget-friendly options that someone recovering from an ACL surgery or other knee surgery would love.
Here’s my pick for the top knee surgery gifts under $15:
Reusable Ice Pack
A reusable ice pack is a simple and effective gift. Ice is your best friend after knee surgery, and is absolutely vital in the first days. There are plenty of options for this, but the simplest and least expensive is your basic gel ice pack. Even if your friend or family member has a few, giving them an extra one can help ensure they are never stuck without a cold compress.
I recommend this simple gel ice pack from Amazon.
Crutch Pads
Underarm crutch pads are an extremely practical gift to give after knee surgery. I was on crutches for about 3 weeks, and it can be much longer depending on the type of surgery. When you’re relying on crutches, your underarms can get quite sore and painful. Simple covers provide support without sliding or slipping.
Check out these underarm crutch pad covers for under $15
Compression Knee Sleeve
A compression knee sleeve was a staple throughout my entire ACL recovery, and it’s something I used even after returning to sport. It can help manage swelling and pain, some challenges that run rampant after knee surgery.
Stretching Strap
Range of motion is a constant battle after knee surgery, and a simple stretching strap can make a world of difference. It’s a simple piece of at-home exercise equipment that can help your loved one work on their extension, flexion, and muscle tightness after surgery.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands are another helpful at-home workout item to help someone recovering from a knee surgery. They’re extremely helpful for building back basic strength, both in the legs and upper body. Later on in recovery, they are still useful for muscle activation and warmup.
Check out this affordable set of resistance loops:
List of additional gift ideas:
Here’s a brief rundown of a bunch more gifts to give someone after ACL or knee surgery:
- A book– Help them pass the time with a book of your choice. One of my all-time favorites is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.
- Pill organizer– For the first days/weeks, there’s a lot of medication to keep track of. Get them a convenient pill organizer (I recommend an AM/PM pill organizer one like this one)
- Crutch bag– Carrying things with crutches is a real hassle. A lightweight crutch bag can be really helpful for bringing necessities around the house or even on the go.
- Snacks– Nothing quite cheers you up like your favorite snack! After surgery, it’s easy to feel “gross,” especially with less activity. Consider giving a healthy (but delicious) snack like roasted edamame.
Knee Surgery Gifts Under $50
Gifts under $50 are still affordable, especially when most are not even nearing that limit. Here are a few of the top gifts for under $50 to give someone after ACL surgery:
Custom Knee Recovery Journal
There’s no way around it: recovering from a knee surgery is hard work. It’s mentally and physically draining. Keeping track of your progress and journaling about your emotions, goals, etc can help you stay focused. It’s also helpful to check back on notes from previous weeks/months. Instead of giving a plain journal, opt for one specifically designed for ACL/long-term injury recovery.
I created this knee surgery recovery journal to do just that. It’s something I would have cherished and gotten a ton of use from during my recovery. It includes detailed trackers for mood, knee health, workouts, and any other notes you could need. Check out the $10 digital version in my online store, or opt for the soft-cover or hardcopy version on Amazon.
Knee-Wrap Ice Pack
If you want to give an even more helpful recovery gift and have just a few more dollars to spare, then consider a knee-wrap ice pack over a regular one. These are still really affordable, generally around $20. They are specifically designed to be worn on the knee, shaped just right for the area. They also include a strap/velcro system to easily attach it and keep it in place during icing.
Check out this affordable knee-wrap ice pack option.
Comfy Slippers/ Slide-On Shoes
Shoes or slippers that slide on are incredibly helpful when you’re on crutches or struggling with mobility. You can easily get them on without a hassle, which is ideal for walking around at home or when you must leave home.
Here are some of my favorite options for post-knee surgery slip-on shoes/house shoes.
Insulated Water Bottle
You may not be working out the same way after knee surgery, but hydration is vital for recovery. A high-quality, insulated water bottle is a nice and simple way to show support. It’s helpful for keeping liquids cool or hot by your loved one’s bedside so they can enjoy their favorite drinks. But it continues to be helpful as they return back to regular activities including work, being on the go more, and sports.
I would have loved this insulated water bottle.
Yoga Mat
A yoga mat is another quality, relevant, and simple gift idea for someone who recently underwent knee surgery. They can use it to make sitting on the floor more comfortable, or to perform at-home recovery exercises. As they progress through recovery, they can still use it for many exercises.
Here’s an affordable yoga mat option:
Sit-Up Pillow
Unfortunately, a lot of time following ACL surgery or another knee surgery is spent in bed. Getting comfortable can be quite challenging. A sit-up pillow offers more support and makes it easier to get comfortable on a bed or the ground. Plus, it’s something that remains helpful even when you’re feeling better.
Here’s a great sit-up pillow to consider:
Foam Roller
One of the most affordable remedies for sore muscles is a foam roller. One of these is vital after knee surgery. Use it to roll out tight hamstrings, calves, quads, and IT bands after surgery and throughout recovery. You can also use them in various ways to work on ROM, including flexion and extension. As you progress through recovery, a foam roller can help you combat soreness and activate your body before workouts.
I love this foam roller set so you can really get into every muscle:
Knee Surgery Gifts Under $100
If you have a slightly bigger budget, then consider some of these incredibly helpful gifts under $100 for someone after ACL surgery:
Fitness Tracker
Keeping track of workouts can help manage the training load after knee surgery. It’s also a nice encouragement for getting back to normal workouts or sports. I found it to be incredibly helpful for staying on track with what I needed to do for my recovery.
This Fitbit is a convenient fitness tracker for any type of activity.
Massage Gun
You could give the gift of a single massage, or just give a massage gun! After surgery, your legs are often stiff and sore. A massage gun is the perfect way to alleviate some of the tension. Later on throughout recovery, returning to more intense workouts can leave you quite sore. That’s why a massage gun makes such a helpful gift for someone recovering from knee surgery.
You can find them at many price points, but here’s one I recommend.
Headphones
Headphones are another great gift option that’s helpful for gym workouts, but also much more than that. Opt for ones that are suitable for working out, running, biking, etc. Depending on your loved one’s preferences and existing tech arsenal, consider over-the-ear headphones or earbuds like these.
Knee Surgery Gifts Over $100
Post-knee surgery gifts over $100 aren’t in everyone’s budget, but there are plenty of high-ticket items that someone would love after knee surgery.
Adjustable Dumbbell Set
An adjustable dumbbell set is one of the most useful at-home exercise items ever. They allow you to do many different exercises with all different weights, without taking up the space of a whole weight set. While they can be pricey, they are overall a more cost-effective option than purchasing numerous weights.
There are plenty of options to choose from, but one this is one affordable, diverse choice:
Compex Muscle Stim
A muscle stimulation machine can help with pain management, quad activation, and muscle growth after ACL surgery. Beyond that, it’s a great device for any athlete to own. I used mine heavily throughout ACL recovery, and still use it regularly today.
A simple stim machine may cost much less, but I highly recommend a Compex one like this one below
TRX Straps
Another versatile, beneficial at-home workout tool is TRX straps. Hook them up to a sturdy piece of furniture or a stud in the ceiling and use them for a wide array of upper and lower body exercises. It’s also incredibly easy to store or transport, making it a great option for anyone with a smaller space.
Here’s an option I found:
Fitness Watch
I personally love pairing a fitness tracker with a fitness watch. I can get the most data about my sleep, overall activity, and more this way. Also, fitness watches can track many of the same things as a dedicated heart rate monitor and more. If you can only give one, I highly recommend a fitness watch. Again, it’ll help someone stay on track with workouts, sleep, and healthy habits after their knee surgery. It can also help them monitor their workout intensity and build up gradually.
Here’s the Polar fitness watch that I have:
Support a Loved One with a Knee Surgery Recovery Gift
Gifts aren’t everything, but they can sure make recovery suck a little less after knee surgery. Show your loved one that you care and help them a bit with recovery with one of the gift ideas above!
Have any knee surgery recovery gifts you recommend? Share it below and I’ll add it to this guide.