Tips and Tools

The gear, gadgets, and hacks that makes recovery suck a little less.

Recovering from an ACL tear (or two 🙃) is no joke — and if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent more time Googling ice machines and knee braces than you ever imagined.

This page is a curated collection of the things that actually helped me through the worst days, the slow progress, and the “is this normal?” moments of recovery.

You’ll find:

My go-to recovery products (from ice packs to elevation pillows)
Real talk reviews on what’s worth the money — and what’s not
Hacks for managing pain, sleep, and daily life on one leg
PT-friendly gear to help with movement and strength at home

Whether you're pre-surgery, post-op, or deep in the grind of physical therapy, these tools have your back (and your knee). I’ll keep updating this page as I find more things that make life a little easier — or at least less icy.

Must Haves

Slip On Slippers- Your First Must Have

One of the best little upgrades I made during recovery was swapping out my usual sandals for a pair of soft, slip-on slippers with a solid sole. After surgery, your balance is off, your knee is sensitive, and let’s be honest — the last thing you need is to trip over a flip-flop. These slippers are easy to slide on without bending down, stay secure on your foot, and have just enough grip to keep you steady on hardwood or tile. Trust me — your knee (and your PT) will thank you. How do you like my fancy surgical compression socks and PJ pants? Your going to live in those socks for 4 weeks!

Keep Your Hands Free- Because Crutches are Enough

One thing I didn’t expect after surgery? How annoying it is to carry literally anything while using crutches. This crutch bag saved me. It straps right onto your crutch and holds the essentials — phone, meds, lip balm, tissues, whatever. When you’re hobbling from the couch to the kitchen, it’s a game-changer to have your hands free and your stuff close by. Bonus: it makes you feel slightly more put-together, even in pajama pants.

Safe Your Armpits

Crutches are rough. Like, bruise-your-armpits-and-make-you-want-to-cry rough. These memory foam crutch pads make a huge difference. They slip right over the standard crutch tops and handles to add soft, cushy support where you need it most. No more chafing, pinching, or pressure points — just a little extra comfort for an already uncomfortable situation. Highly recommend these if you'll be using crutches for more than a few days. Don't judge mine... They have seen two rounds of use and are holding up great!

Toilet Talk

Listen, it’s not glamorous, but after ACL surgery, even sitting down becomes a tactical operation. These toilet safety rails were a total lifesaver. They give you something sturdy to hold onto when your leg is weak, wobbly, or in a full brace — which, let’s be honest, is basically all the time at first. It might feel like an “elderly” purchase, but your future post-op self will thank you. Zero shame — 100% stability.

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Because You'll Basically Live With Ice Packs

After ACL surgery, icing isn’t just helpful — it’s a full-time job. These gel ice packs are my go-to because they actually stay cold, mold around your knee, and come with a strap so you’re not stuck awkwardly holding them in place. I kept one in the freezer at all times for post-PT flare-ups and late-night swelling. Pro tip: get two so you can rotate them. Your knee (and your sanity) will appreciate it.

Knee Ice Packs for ACL recovery after surgery

Upgrade Your Ice Game

Regular ice packs are great — but this compression ice wrap takes your recovery to the next level. It combines cold therapy with light compression to help reduce swelling faster and target inflammation more effectively. The wrap holds everything securely in place so you can move around (or at least hobble) without constantly readjusting. I used this after physical therapy sessions when my knee felt puffy and angry — and it made a big difference in how quickly I bounced back.

Compression Ice for ACL recovery after surgery