Hey Persia as far as the correct leg order for stairs when you have bad knees, it should be bad knee down, good knee up. If you step up with your bad knee, you're putting pressure on that joint. Going down with the good knee is the same thing, the bad knee takes the stress of your body weight as you step down.

It's easy to mix these up so I hope you just mixed up the words. Again, bad knee down, good knee up.

And yes, going downstairs is more painful than going up.

As for your situation....... Stairs were one of the last things I could do without pain, discomfort. I know that doesn't help much. You could use a cane, or if possible a walker to navigate stairs - but that's very tricky and risky.

Can you stay with someone for two or three months while you're rehabbing - where stairs aren't an issue?

All the best. BTW I'm a 69 y/o male, had both knees replaced in 2022. Best thing I ever did for my health, and it took a lot of work on my part with a lot of help and support from my wife. The surgery itself is the easiest part!