{"id":1103,"date":"2026-01-07T20:17:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextdayaccess.com\/south-central-wi\/?p=1103"},"modified":"2026-01-14T18:27:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T18:27:44","slug":"south-central-wisconsin-blog-social-worker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextdayaccess.com\/south-central-wi\/south-central-wisconsin-blog-social-worker\/","title":{"rendered":"My Surgeon Said I\u2019ll Be Non-Weight Bearing for 6\u201310 Weeks. How Do I Prepare My Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re returning home after surgery and have been told you\u2019ll be non-weight bearing for several weeks, planning your home setup ahead of time is one of the most important steps you can take for a safe recovery. There are many reasons a surgeon might tell you that you can\u2019t put weight on one leg for a period of time. For some individuals, a short stay in a rehab facility makes sense. But for many people across Madison and South Central Wisconsin, people are returning <\/span>directly home<\/b> after surgery\u2014sometimes the same day, sometimes after just a night or two in the hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

The big question becomes:<\/span>
\n<\/span>Is your home actually set up for you to recover safely?<\/b><\/p>\n

Most homes aren\u2019t, even single story homes. We see this often in older homes across Dane, Columbia and Rock Counties specifically. Even a few entry steps can become a major barrier after surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Gap No One Talks About: What Happens After Surgery<\/b><\/p>\n

As a <\/span>medical social worker<\/b>, I saw this situation play out over and over again\u2014the lack of planning for what happens <\/span>after<\/span><\/i> surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is often extensive preparation for the procedure itself: appointments, imaging, clear instructions, and careful coordination. But far less attention is given to the critical transition period that follows, when someone returns home and suddenly has to navigate everyday life without being able to put weight on one leg.<\/span><\/p>\n

One patient in particular has always stayed with me.<\/span><\/p>\n

He had undergone foot surgery and was discharged to his home in Beloit, Wisconsin, with his spouse. The plan seemed straightforward: he had a wheelchair in the trunk, and they were eager to get him home to rest. But as his wife pulled into their driveway, reality hit. She called me from her car because they suddenly realized something they hadn\u2019t planned for.<\/span><\/p>\n

To get into their home, they needed to go up <\/span>two steps<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two small steps that had never mattered before became an immovable barrier. There was no ramp. No railing positioned for one-legged support. No safe way for her to help him without risking injury to either of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the moment where stress spikes, safety drops, and people are forced to improvise\u2014often in ways that lead to falls, re-injury, or caregiver strain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Situations like this are incredibly common, especially now that many people return directly home after surgery, sometimes the same day or after just one night in the hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that most of these challenges are preventable. With early planning, homes can be adapted\u2014temporarily or permanently\u2014to support recovery, protect caregivers, and allow healing to happen safely where people want to be most: at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the Scooter: Thinking Past \u201cHow Will I Get Around?\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n

Many people immediately focus on <\/span>what device<\/span><\/i> they\u2019ll use\u2014crutches, a knee scooter, or a wheelchair. That\u2019s important, but it\u2019s only part of the picture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recovery is about <\/span>how your whole home supports you<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n