Stairs after TKR (1 side, 72 yrs old)

Thanks. Very helpful

It's the same for going downstairs too.
Malo

Gotcha Persia. That's strange about how you do stairs. But hey, whatever works.

I hope you start your rehab earlier than two weeks from surgery. If you can't get out please do the suggested exercises at home 3x/day. It really helps.

All the best.

@persia I had to walk up stairs when I got home from the hospital. I used a quad cane. I put the cane on the step and then lifted my good right leg up to that stair and followed with putting the left leg on the step . The next step put the quad cane on the step, then put the foot of your good leg on the step, fill by the tar leg. Hold onto the quad cane for balance. I never used a walker. I am 3 weeks post op. My pt recommended when I start to navigate the 14 stairs from the basement start at the bottom. Go up 4 stairs and then turn around and go down. Continue to add stairs as I progress. We have an outside door to the basement. My husband drives me around to the back and I practice from the bottom of the stairs. My pt didn’t want me to start at the top in case I got dizzy looking down them, she didn’t want me to fall.
FYI, Going down the stairs is harder than going up. I hope thus helps.

Such a huge help!!! Thanks so much! Hope you have a quick recovery. 🙂

They will come to me. And I’ll do exercises too.
Thanks

Hey Persia, Stay in the hospital until you are ready to leave. Stairs didn’t bother me when I first came home because the anesthesia from surgery was still in my system.
For the first 2 weeks stay in the room where you have the best access to the bathroom. Have someone in the house that can help you if you need help.
Make sure you have an ice machine, and some ice packs.
3. You shouldn’t be worrying about going outside . The first 2-3 weeks you should stay inside and do exercises that your surgeon wants you to do. Don’t overdo it or you leg will swell and hurt really bad. Do what your Dr. wants you to do.
My surgeon wanted me to stay inside because people usually get hurt or fall when they go outside . I only leave the house to go to physical therapy 3 times a week and my husband drives me. I sit in the back seat and elevate my leg and ice it on the ride to and from therapy. Right before I arrive I change to a sitting position to prepare to get out of the car. I use my quad cane to go into and out of therapy.
If you are strong enough to walk on your own before surgery. you should do well after surgery. I am 69 and I never used a walker. Many people do and they move to a cane and then to no devices. It is 3 weeks and I am weaning myself from using the cane.
I have been given the okay that I can push my little Yorkies in their baby buggy on the walking trail, as part of my rehab, but my husband or someone has to be with me.
Before I did rehab walking out of my home on my own, I would talk to my surgeon. A great time would be at your post op follow up appointment. I hope this is helpful! 🤗

Hello I am a 76year old wheelchair bound I had the same problems. On the outside a wooden ramp is a blessing, on the inside, in my case an electric stair chair was the answer but expensive !

Sounds like you have a very smart/forward-thinking PT.

And yes, after a TKR, going downstairs is harder than going up. When going downstairs, lead with the non-operated leg and follow with the operated leg.

To assess when my rehab was close to being complete, I would use walking downstairs as the test. If I felt a twinge in the TKR leg after leading with the good leg, I had more work to do.

And on the topic of post-surgery recovery, please keep in mind that after a major surgery like this, there is no end date on therapy for your knee and surrounding muscles. Keep exercising, there is a lot that can be done, and enjoy being pain free!

Hello there! I am 68 and just had TKA 9/13/23. I was in the same situation as you. Here you go:
1. How painful/hard to climb the outside stairs when I leave the hospital? I was not able to do stairs for about a month. At first one step at a time - surgical knee first, then the other. I worked at the PT facility on stairs - they had rails on both sides. After about 2 months I could go down normally but VERY slowly and with some difficulty. Now at 3 months - I am not quite as slow but being very careful. At home I have a rail on the left side (going down) and I hang on!
2. Would it be better to extend hospital stay to 2-3 days? I was allowed to stay one night in the hospital and then was ready to go home. IF you start PT right away - the day of the surgery actually, you will be fine.
3. How long before I should be able to navigate the outside stairs for rehab/walks/outings as a passenger? Use a cane if there is not a rail. Take it easy and don't be in a hurry. I still can't go for a long walk - but it is VERY cold here so my knee gets stiff.
4. How long before I can sleep upstairs in a bedroom (there’s a second bathroom upstairs). I would wait until you are VERY comfortable. Do you have a partner that can watch out for you? I had to use my walker to get to the bathroom at night.

The other advice I can give you - TAKE YOUR MEDS AS SCHEDULED. Stay on top of the pain. After two weeks I was able to stop the oxycodone but took it faithfully. You won't get addicted, if you are careful. I still take one Advil and one Tylenol every afternoon to take the edge off the pain - but as I said it is very cold here (Northern Idaho). ALSO take the peri-colace and eat prunes.

I developed restless leg syndrome about 3 weeks after surgery. Taking ropinirole (.5 mg twice a day) and it is helping.

I completely lost my appetite. Have some comfort foods around - instant mashed potatoes, toast and cheese - that sort of thing. My husband made me steak twice and it tasted awful to me. Lemon popsicles were great.

I still ice every afternoon for a couple of hours - I have an ice machine so I can't get frostbite. It is so comforting. Elevate as much as you can. And sleep sleep sleep. Your body needs the rest to heal. Don't feel guilty!

All the best to you - the pain was a scary thing for me. I am scheduled for my second surgery and am not at all fearful this time. You will get through it and be so happy you did it. Wishing you a very Happy and Merry Christmas.