After TKR, can I come home to two flights of stairs?

Posted by comeoutdancing @comeoutdancing, Sep 15 3:00pm

I am healthy and active at age 80. I have a TKR scheduled in October. I have a great caregiver, surgeon and physical therapist. I understand I come home on surgery day and will be in pain so must take the pain meds. Questions:
How can I 'hobble' up two flights of stairs that day to get into my apartment?
I am hoping to recover back to walking in a few days and biking, dancing and yoga classes in two months. Is this realistic?
I welcome your advice for a best recovery.

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comeoutdancing | @comeoutdancing | Sep 18 3:02pm

Good Advice. Since I know in advance about this need to rehab, I should find the best way to accomplish it.
Thanks for prompting me to do some research.

angels12 | @angels12 | Sep 29 6:54am

You really should consider staying somewhere without stairs for a while. I found stairs to be very difficult.

steveinarizona | @steveinarizona | Sep 30 9:20am

In reply to @angels12 "You really should consider staying somewhere without stairs for a while. I found stairs to be..." + (show)

@angels12 Motion is lotion. If the OP can do it, and do it safely, I see no reason to move.

dna41 | @dna41 | Sep 30 2:38pm

I think you can do it if your PT shows you the correct way to do stairs. My stairs are down but I managed and going down is harder than up.

Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | Sep 30 9:29pm

@comeoutdancing: Your surgery date is almost here! Have you had time to discuss your concerns with your ortho surg and PT? What was their advice and what have you decided? Best of luck!

lynnn | @lynnn | Oct 2 9:16pm

In reply to @comeoutdancing "Good Advice. Since I know in advance about this need to rehab, I should find the..." + (show)

@comeoutdancing
pain meds after TKR kept me comfortable for two weeks. I did the stairs ok by keeping weight on the other leg and then lightly putting down the TKR. I hobbled up the stairs this way and the same coming down. Best wishes for a good recovery.

comeoutdancing | @comeoutdancing | Oct 3 1:20am

In reply to @lynnn "@comeoutdancing pain meds after TKR kept me comfortable for two weeks. I did the stairs ok..." + (show)

@lynnn
Thanks, I am encouraged by your response.

vincentyu | @vincentyu | Oct 3 9:32am

A PT taught me to remember when climbing up or down stairs that “good legs go to heaven and bad legs go to hell” so I know the better knee is always the one on top whether going up or down the stairs.

Best of luck.

dmk | @dmk | Oct 4 1:45pm

Indeed you can! Up with the good down with the bad.

bgl9463 | @bgl9463 | Oct 4 4:48pm

I suggest you ask both your surgeon and therapist and have a plan B!
I can’t believe either of them will say that’s possible. I could barely walk on level ground after a week using a walker!