Its very difficult after TKR to use the stairs. I'm at 7.5 weeks and still have some difficulty going downstairs as I slipped on the steps butt first. My knee buckled. Thank god it didn't hit on the steps or onto the floor. It bend backward! And I hold onto handrail. Going upstairs is no problem to me. I would have someone come live with you for a few weeks or get a portable toilet. I will not try the stairs or your knee can buckle.
Hi jocoley, my house is 3 storeys and there's no one storey I could limit myself to. At my presurgical appointments (I've had both knees done) I told them so this time I had 10 days in hospital then to rehab for 3 weeks. They worked hard on helping me with the stairs and they kept me in until I could do a whole flight at a time. Basically the same with the first knee but didn't have the complications I had the second time around so not as long in hospital before going to rehab. I hope you can get similar assistance. They made we walk up/down stairs with crutches and I'm so glad they did. I've been home 10 days and I can walk up and downtairs with only one foot per step!
I had fusion in 1984, plus back brace for four months, that was the worst pain ever, and steps were more difficult as the brace was from my chest to my lower hip, and down the right thigh. Absolutely impossible to bend, and steps were a nightmare. After that pain, the knees were pretty easy.
Yes there is hope and most people are happy with their new knees, I know I am. Just need to get hips sorted now, but not for a while!
I had three weeks of oxycodone, tylenol, Ibuprofen and a stool softener. Good times.
jocoley.....first couple weeks my knee was also prone to give out, donno about going up and down stairs though. Maybe you could practice going one step at a time with the cane before the surgery.
You will be in pain meds that makes your brain fuzzy. The chance of falling is great the first couple of weeks. You don't say if you will have help. Highly recommended. If you do the steps early in your recovery, having someone walking with you is necessary.
Have you considered a stair lift? I looked into them and found you can rent them. They are not adhereted to walls or banisters, move up stairs.
Ellie
Hi lovee. You have some good advice here. If you are able to use a bucket/bowl for peeing it may be wise for first few days home. Rather like camping, but without the fun!
The drugs do usually constipate and moving around, oats, fibre, prunes all helped me. My sister, with her first knee replacement, managed 12 stairs twice a day up and down. Amazing. Me, with bilateral TKR's, could do only three in 2 weeks post op. Agree with many here, plan for the worst, expect the best. Good fortune to you! xx
I had a bilateral knee replacement on a Wednesday and got out on Monday. I had to prove that I could do stairs before I left the hospital. I had no choice but to use the stairs at home as the bathroom and my bedroom were on the 2nd floor. I will admit that the stairs weren't easy but I did them. I limited the number of times I went up and down them though. You can do it.
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Hi Mona, if your knee gave way it sounds like you have some muscle wastage. It would be a good idea to do some quad strengthening.
I was able to walk upstairs but walking down stairs is tough.
I wish you the best on your upcoming knee replacement. I was instructed to stay on the same floor as my bathroom for 2 weeks as I was not to use the stairs until I had two weeks of therapy. The in home therapist worked with me on using the steps and I did fine with them after practicing with the therapist.
I took a joint replacement class prior to my recent TKR. We were told that if we had stairs to climb we would be accomplishing this before we left the hospital- including a second story bedroom! I was shocked as this is a big change since I had my first knee replacement in 2008. In my case, however, I only had 5 stairs to master to get into my house. The day after my surgery PT had me on the stairs practicing to ensure that I would be able to go home. Stairs didn't prove to be a problem for me but then I wasn't going up and down them several times a day. Best of wishes to you with your surgery and recovery.
Hi there, I made a point of using my stairs from day one and had no problems with it. You will have to be able to go up and down a fight of stairs before leaving the hospital. Good luck!
Hi Denise
I'm assuming you are here in the uk?
I waited 6 months after going on the list, I had the 1st pre op when I put the papers into theatre to go on the list.
I don't know what the waiting times are at the mo, but it varies from health area to health area, some are shorter.
I'm still waiting to go back on the list for no2!!
Good luck, I hope you get your date soon.
Marilyn
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Yes you can go upstairs after TKR. If you are in the uk, they will make sure you walk upstairs before you are discharged. Esp if you have stated to them you have stairs at home.
If it's anything like at our hospital you, when you get notification of your op date, you will have the pre op proper, blood test forms (2 for the national blood transfusion service) & a physio morning in the hospital. At the physio morning they give a talk on the op, show a prosthesis & a q&a session then go through for 1on1 chats to see what equipment you need for your home. Things like blocks to put under chairs, high seats for the loo or arms for the loo etc, which is ordered & delivered in the week.
Does your hospital have a Rapid Recovery Programme for TKR?
I hope you hear soon
Marilyn
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Hi
My stairs are steep at home , when I first got home I went up and down the stairs on my bum
Good healing