How do you feel about falling?

One quick suggestion when it comes to footwear:

I have very big feet, and it's hard to find shoes that fit. Since I've only got one working hand, tying shoelaces is impossible.

Solution: Elastic shoelaces, which make my shoes fit snugly, but also make it possible to get them on and off easily.

(A long shoehorn helps, too.)

Once I was able to get my shoes on without help, I was able to move around a lot better and get out of the house much more frequently (including getting to the car to go for a drive).

The first day I figured this out, I went to a drive-thru while my wife was at work. I sent her a picture of my meal at home, and she was astonished that I'd made it out on my own. So was I, to be honest!

I use one or two hiking poles when we go to state or national parks. I don’t have balance issues, but started using them when I’d have flare ups of osteoarthritis in my knee. I was afraid my knee might partially collapse. But as @sueinmn said, they are really good to assist balance.

Check the tips - many just come with a carbide tip which is good for parks. But if you want to use them on hard surfaces you would want to put on a rubber tip. Nordic walking poles often come with a selection of tips. Nordic walking, with poles, will actually increase your energy expenditure. It works your upper body while you walk. You can find lots of info on the web. You can use the Nordic walking poles just for extra balance just like the regular hiking poles.

@sueinmn Good point Sue! I wear my Hokas almost everywhere. I have hikers, outdoor walkers and inside Hokas. Not very elegant but they work well for me! And I use my walking poles almost all the time outdoors.

Love your resourcefulness Scott. Nothing can keep you down.

We are fortunate to have San Antonio Shoe SAS outlet stores here. They don't work for my small narrow feet but many of my friends have multiple pairs.
At home in MN we are blessed with several "real" shoe stores with trained fitters. I rely on them, even though I gulp when I get the bill. I figure it's cheaper than a broken bone.
Sue

I think about a first floor bedroom as well. I think we could convert our living room. Problem is we only have a half bath downstairs.
I have read that there is an uside to having stairs. It forces you to keep some strength in your legs. I keep telling myself that.🙂
As for creating a first floor bedroom and bath--we recently remodeled our kitchen. Not sure I want to go thru that again. It's not easy living in a construction zone. Maybe someday.

Hi I was on before about tkr 2 years ago. Now I have fallen may 23 and smashed my femur in same leg as tkr. My leg was put back together. Bone growth didn't grow. Nothing to grow now. Dr wants to operate now and remove plate and clean leg out and do revision surgery on knee. Put all metal and cement in knee
A rod in my leg. I can't walk good even with a walker. Dr thinks I will with this surgery. Anyone heard or experienced this? Any advice? Kinda on my own with all this and afraid. Thanks.

Because I’m a retired OT, I tend to look at what therapy will be required as part of the equation in decision making. The length of therapy can indicate the complex nature of the repair, and expectations about how long it will take to return to some functioning.

Here are a couple of links that might be helpful. They include some numbers on how often this type of surgery is successful. And they do mention all those scary items that are inserted for the repair.
These sites are for revision knee replacement - which is probably the more involved part of your surgery. The Physio-Pedia site does mention that the femur might also be broken and repaired during this surgery.
Healthy muscle and ligaments improve outcomes, I’d add that to your list of considerations for this surgery.

I’ve used Physio-pedia numerous times on different therapy topics. They have good info.
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Total_Knee_Joint_Replacement_Revision_Surgery#cite_note-:3-9
This is a surgical site with good info:
https://www.gccbjs.com.au/revision-knee-replacement/

I didn't have the same experience regarding the knee, but I did fracture my right femur and they put a rod in. All I can tell you is that the leg with the rod (the right one) is much stronger than the other leg. Also, I have not experienced pain or discomfort in my right leg and my surgery was 5 1/2 years ago. Again though, I had no knee issues.

Daphne17, thank you for your reply. I know it will have to have something more. The bone graft broke and the plate was temporary. I did not know that since I'm now under another Dr. That seems to know just what he's talking about. I was left with a very stiff knee from tnr so it was add already stiff now my bend is maybe 50. So hopefully rod will strengthen my left leg and knee. It's very weak and I've had lots of thearpy and more to come. I am just praying I make right decision. Again thank you so much.

I wish you success with your treatment. Best wishes.