How to get better walking down stairs

Hi Patti same problem here. Going upstairs no problem but coming down have to go down one stair with good leg then bring bad ankle to same stair holding tightly on bannister. Two weeks ago was given exercise off PT just to stand and rise on tiptoes and to hold position to the count of 30. Also to stand just on bad leg to help improve balance. This finding very hard Infact don't think could manage this well before accident.

The most important thing is getting to where we want to be safely.

 

Hello Patti.  I had/have exactly the same problem coming downstairs though i havent walked barefoot yet..  It sort of meant that with each step, there was a sort of jolt because my ankle does not have enough flexibility to negoatiate the stair movement fully and it did feel like there was a brae around my ankle.   However, it has got better over time.  I do soak my foot every morning in a hot sink  of Epsom salts water for ten minutes, then follow by cold water.  I then use bio-oil to deep massage my calf and achilles.  I do scar tissue massage to the whole ankle area with a very small amount of oil as you need to do this quite expertly.  I massage my scars and particularly across the front from ankle to ankle as this, as you say, is an area that feels tight and restricted.  I then do my exercises which does incorportate stair work, lifting on to my toes and then calf strethching down.   I have great difficulty balancing fully weight bearing on the injured leg as i am supposed to.  So my PT suggested i start the exercise at 50% and gradually increase.   I am now at about 60% but still dont feel my foot has the stregth to hold my weight and i am not heavy.    I end my exercises with standing facing a wall with my toe near the wall and bending my knee to hit the wall.  Initially, i could get nowhere near the wall but now have much more mobility.   I would take advice however on any exercises programme as these have to be tailored made to suit your injury and time since surgery.  Hope this helps. 

I experience exactly the same and have done since being able to walk unaided. The angle of your ankle is different going up rather than down, hence a jerky movement or hop rather than walk coming back down. I do the same exercises as you, flex and point. I also was told to put my foot as far behind as comfortable and then stretch forwards also to squat down as low as you can get without moving you foot. Hope this helps and speeds up your recovery

Hi Patti, at physio. I was taught when going up stairs good foot first down bad foot first. In the beginning I was more afraid of going up because it left most of my weight on my bad ankle, but now I am doing fine I just make sure I am next to the railings or wall in case I need some sort of support. I find walking up steep ramps more difficult than stairs. Also did a good deal of walking outdoors this weekend, so I feel great. I wanted to try drive my car up the road, but my husband would not let me, said give it one more week, he is afraid I won't be able to make an emergency stop. So I wait. Have a great week all.

Hey Patti, Ron back here on the Forum.  Yes, exactly, I have the issue going down my spiral staircase.  Can't do it in a totally normal way without feeling discomfort and tightness, as if the foot has not gained it's full flexibility back.  Which of course it has not.  That will come, I'm sure.  In the meantime, I do try going down using a full flex, but take some of the weight off by holding on to the railing.  I think that is a good way to ease into the full flex over time.

Forgot...one more:

-Stationary bike cycling (do as much as you can on a pressure you can handle)

I am 8 months post op and still have trouble going down the stairs.  PT said dorsi flexion has to be within 10 degrees to descend normally.  I am better than I was months ago.  I feel like I need to brace myself with both arms.  My heart goes out to all of you that have gone back to work and are being treated so poorly.  This injury is harder than I could have imagined.