Posted , 25 users are following.
Hi, I'm waiting for a knee replaceent, will I be able to use my upstairs toilet? I don't have one downstairs.
0 likes, 35 replies
Posted , 25 users are following.
Hi, I'm waiting for a knee replaceent, will I be able to use my upstairs toilet? I don't have one downstairs.
0 likes, 35 replies
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jen04209 jocoley
Posted
denisek64 jen04209
Posted
Hi I think I'm having bilateral knee replacements how long did you wait after your pre op I've been on the list 18 weeks now and have my pre op on the 22nd June
marilyn10235 denisek64
Posted
Hi Denise
I'm assuming you are here in the uk?
I waited 6 months after going on the list, I had the 1st pre op when I put the papers into theatre to go on the list.
I don't know what the waiting times are at the mo, but it varies from health area to health area, some are shorter.
I'm still waiting to go back on the list for no2!!
Good luck, I hope you get your date soon.
Marilyn
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CHICO_MARX jocoley
Posted
Yes, you can walk upstairs...but...
- the first few weeks will be a challenge
- if you live with someone get help
- if you don't, you'll need a crutch or cane and then hold onto the bannister
- ... better yet, get a commode for downstairs and have someone empty it for you every day or two.
Understand that stairs are usually the very last thing to master after a TKR. That comes after all the initial pain, PT, more pain, leg strengthening and more pain. Don't expect to be running up and down stairs for many, many moons...and then very slowly. I'd make other arrangements.
arizonaone jocoley
Posted
I agree with Chico. Although I am only a month out from surgery there is definitely no way I could. use the stairs even now. I am still using a walker although at my next pt appt I will start getting used to a cane.
Within the first few weeks there were times that my knee buckled. If I had been going up or down the steps I would have fallen.
In my opinion using the steps right out of surgery is not a good idea. Especially since you need to build up strength in your knee before climbing steps. Better safe than sorry and you don't want to do anything that would compromise the prothesis.
Laura3333 jocoley
Posted
Yes of course you can use stairs, you won't be allowed home until you can. With only one knee done, it's just as easy if not easier than before the surgery, depends how bad you are now.
One step at a time for a while.
With both it will be harder, I wouldn't have had both done together, to be honest.
jan77947 Laura3333
Posted
Laura3333 jan77947
Posted
tammy11224 jocoley
Posted
My doctor told me to go up and down the steps and not to set up camp in the family room. I did have a bathroom on the first floor. There is a portable potty. It's a bit challenging getting on and off the potty for a little while. I would say yes, but have a back-up just in case!
Need1knee jocoley
Posted
cynthia89958 jocoley
Posted
I moved to a downstairs guestroom as there is a bathroom and the stairs were very steep so I would have struggled otherwise as my knee has not been a very quick recovery at all.
?However, I know some folk have managed to do stairs early on, though you just do not know whether you will be lucky.
?Someone I know set up camp upstairs for the first week or two, so they did not have to use stairs for every toilet visit, added a TV and took drinks and food supplies, meds, books, phones, laptop etc. As even if you are managing the stairs, you don't really want to be doing them too much at first.
Your hospital or PT should help you master stairs before you are sent home, if you tell them our situation.
?Good luck for the surgery and recovery.
lynne39526 jocoley
Posted
Yes you will be able use the upstairs toilet I did, I don't have one downstairs as long as you take it easy you should be ok my stairs are steepish and I managed....Gokd luck on the knee replacement.
Guest jocoley
Posted
CHICO_MARX Guest
Posted
I guess it's different in the UK. Can't go home from the hospital unless you can climb stairs? Not here. Started PT at 3-4 weeks...we didn't get to a stair for two months. You have zero quad strength after the operation. Yes, use your good leg and drag the bad one up behind you...that's the only way. To do a stair with the new knee, you need your ROM back so you can bend the knee plus quad, glute and core strength to actually get to the next step without bouncing with the other leg or dragging yourself up with the banister. It takes a lot of time and practice to go up and down stairs "normally".
So...yes, go up to the bathroom and down again one step at a time with your good leg...and HANG ON!!! Doable but not advisable especially when you're groggy on opioids. I'd stay on Floor #1 for a little while.
jenny80029 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Laura3333 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Did steps on day two Chico, home after three days. Most houses here don't have downstairs toilets, you have to do steps.
They won't keep you in hospital for social reasons, it's up to you to get on with it
I had enough strength in my other leg to cope with it. Had the pain, yes, bad? Yes. Sometimes you just have to get on with it.
Like you had several surgeries, and the knee's weren't the worst ones, for coping.
CHICO_MARX Laura3333
Posted
My knee was definitely the toughest for 30-60 day pain but I could still walk around...walker then cane at first. The hardest was the big L3 through S1 TLIF back fusion. Constant back pain during the rehab...wearing a back brace for four months...CANNOT bend over or do any lifting. Got past that rehab in 4 months instead of six but with my latest L2/L3 LLIF (lateral) fusion, the back is still hard to deal with. At 15 months, the knee doesn't bother me anymore. I was surprised that I can climb 2 steps at a time leading with my new knee...more underlying quad strength than I had thought...without holding onto a banister!!!
YES!!!! There is hope out there, everyone!!!
Laura3333 CHICO_MARX
Posted
Yes there is hope and most people are happy with their new knees, I know I am. Just need to get hips sorted now, but not for a while!
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