Stairs

Foot care
1

any advice on using stairs? 

I'm walking up them like a crab because of the size of the boot and this is giving me back problems

2

I ve had seven ortho surgeries and been non weight bearing for many many months.  The best way I found was to go up on good leg and bad knee.  I had two pairs of crutches and got on second pair when I got upstairs.  Usually came down on my bottom.  Hope this helps

3

Hi, do you have crutches? I was shown how to use them at hospital and how to tackle stairs before my operation. Going down stairs you put your crutches on the lower step, followed by your bad foot then your good foot ( you could do this with one crutch and hold the banister if you're worried about your balance), then going up stairs its the reverse - good foot, bad foot then the crutches (you use the crutches to lift up to the step) 

Hope that helps! 

4

Many thanks

have crutches - physio gave me photocopy instructions and adjusted size. Had to go to A and E as heavy bleeding - they changed crutches as too long! So much for physio help!

found much better support on this forum - many thanks to all

will try out suggestions

have also been doing a little basic Pilates on floor to help with back

5

Many thanks for advice - will try anything

hope u r making good recovery from your ops

6

Hi Danuta

It's up to you but I found it so much easier going upstairs and downstairs on my bottom even though the physio showed me how to use the crutches. Every bodies different so just see how you feel😊

7

Hi Danuta.

I am assuming that you have had bunion surgery and now wearing a heel wedge shoe.

The correct proicedure foir ascending and descending the stairs is as follows as instructed by the physiotherapist told me and showed me after my surgery.

Ascending: If you are still using crutches (and depending on which side of the stairs your handrail/banister is. Mine are on my left hand side looking upwards.) Take your crutches in one hand making a 'H' with the handles and then keeping the crutches on the floor place your free hand on the handrail and then place your good foot on the first step followed by your bunion foot pushing your weight on the crutches to lever yourself onto the step and ensuring that you place your foot on the step sideways to prevent the risking of forced pressure on the foot. Then lift the crutches onto the same step as both your feet. Repeat this process until your reach the top of the stairs.

Descending:  Place your free hand on the handrail and then place the crutches onto the first step followed by your bunion foot again ensuring you place the whole of this foot sideways onto the step. Then bring down your good foot. Repeat this process until you reach the bottom of the stairs.

It sounds complicated but once you've done it a few times you'll get the hang of it.

 So, for going up, it's handrail, good foot, bunion foot, crutches.

 For going down it's, handrail, crutches, bunion foot, good foot.

Good Luck.

Gillian 

8

I went up and down on my bottom and used my arms to lift myself at home.