Climbing Stairs After TKR

Can someone, female 80 yrs, who had TKR of one leg 2 weeks ago, begin climbing stairs with the help of a physio, or defer it for at least 4 weeks from surgery?
Blood clots (like in a concussion) are spreading around the thigh near the operated area. Any treatment needed or will these go away after some time?

Good evening @mspartha and a big welcome to Connect. Well, I am 80 years old and had a TKR last year. I am concerned about you and therefore have a couple of questions. Have you discussed this with your surgeon? Did you have a meeting with your PT pre or post-surgery?

Here is what worked for me. Before doing any PT or stair climbing, I would want a clear answer about the blood clots as well as a PT schedule that included how to get ready to climb stairs.

Please note that as you climb up the stairs you should be going one step at a time. In other words, step up to the next level with your non -TKR leg. Then holding on to the railing, lift your TKR leg up to the same level. Steady yourself and rest a minute. Make sure you are sturdy and then repeat for the next step. Even more important is your preparation for going downstairs. Remember that going down is more strain on your TKR knee as it must support your entire body for a short period of time.

@mspartha, remember.....one step at a time so that you end with both feet on the step. Make sure your are steady before beginning the next step. How does that sound? Doable?

Another thought for the day........I recall that we have a tendency to want to beat some imaginary record and can end up doing too much too soon. If I were going to give you a gift, it would be to remember to ice that knee and elevate it after any exercise.

Are you sleeping well?

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Mr Trout
Many thanks for your helpful suggestions. I appreciate your detailed advice on climbing steps.
My wife had the TKR. The surgeon cautioned against climbing stairs for one month post-surgery. The physio is confident it can be done straightway.

I'd like to add my welcome, @mspartha. You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion called
- Climbing Stairs After TKR https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/climbing-stairs-after-tkr/

I did this to connect you with others talking about stair climbing after a total knee replacement.

However, it sounds like your wife's situation may need professional medical guidance and get those blood clots checked out. Her situation may be different from the others' here. When you see the doctor, ask about the physiotherapists suggestion and confirm when she should attempt slow stair climbing (one foot at a time).

Would love to know who your surgeon was. I am trying to find a surgeon who has such happy patients results

Sincere thanks.

I am 11 years post tkr and never had physiotherapy with a two week recovery and did not have problems until last year . Now i have Knee cap problems because they did not change the kneecap or scrape it but i just wear a knee sleeve and its much better.

Hi everyone. I had a left TKR in March and within 6 weeks, was going up and down stairs with little discomfort.

In July I had the right TKR. It's five weeks out - my ROM is good at 129 degrees, extension is 1 degree. Problem is, I have a lot of pain right behind the kneecap and up into the quad tendon. It's a sharp pain. I did so well with the first TKR I thought this one would be the same.

It's five weeks, so should I be concerned, or just be patient and stick with the PT and at-home exercises. Oh, I'm a 67 yo male. Thanks all! Joe

I'm glad it's better with the knee sleeve. I'm surprised they didn't scrape the patella and attach metal with an overlay of polyethylene. If you're ok with the sleeve that's great. If it becomes a problem, I suppose they could do revision surgery to fix the patella.

Although if you end up going for surgery, they may as well replace the old one. FWIW I had bi-lateral TKRs and the surgeon used the Mako robotic assistant. I'm so glad I did that.

All the best to you! Joe

If I’ve learned anything over the past 20 months it’s that each knee is different! I was 3months between surgeries and in retrospect, the first was a breeze. I am heading into revision surgery for the second one in a few weeks. On the one hand there’s benefit to having the experience of the first knee, on the other hand it can be misleading. Just keep doing your PT and concentrate particularly on the areas where you have the most discomfort.