Knee replacement in 3 days and I live on 3rd floor. Will I be able to get up to my condo?

His Christi

That's tough I don't know everyone is different . In UK was kept in for 3 nights and physio needs to be sure you are safe to do stairs before discharge.

I had hubby at home and personally think three flights of stairs would be challenging, especially going down. Everyone is different but you want to be safe after a knee op it's routine but major work.

You will probably have to attend outpatient physio or PT as you call it but see if they can come to you.

If you have stuff in place like raised loo seats, uncluttered floors, grab rails for shower you should be OK. Lots of people have it done without anyone at home. Make sure things in cupboards are low and get a stool for the shower. You'll only need these for a while.The exercises are important, take your pain medication regularly and ice and elevate . You'll be given all the advise .

All the best in your journey I'm 9 weeks post and am so pleased I have a stable joint, can go up and down stairs one leg in front the other and don't walk in fear if my knee giving out. I am sure of you follow the long regime you will be fine.

Christi - I would imagine It's pretty tough going home alone.  It's been over a year for me, but I remember clearly how mentally freaked out I was when I first used the stairs.  I couldn't leave the hospital until I had practiced up and down stairs - and that was with my husband either in front of me or behind me for support.  I only had one flight up to second floor, but I would go down in the morning and not go back up til bedtime.  If you can have someone stay with you, that's what you should do.  If only for the emotional support of having someone nearby.  Good luck!!

Mary Ann

I think you will be just fine. If you have to go up backwards up on your butt and come down forwards on your butt. I had my family here but nobody helped me. The only thing I wished I had was a raised toilet seat or a tall toilet. But for my next one I will have a walker in the bathroom to help me up. I had to use stairs for my shower and the day between it I used bath wash premoistend wipes. Hang tough where there is a way you can do. I am s scheduling my second TKR for sometime in March. I am 4 months post TKR on my other knee. Guess I readyfor more punishment but want to get it over with. Take care and God Bless you!!!

If you are doing exercises at home for first week I think you would be better staying at home as then only the first steps and not for every meal. You'd be more comfortable at home and then no stress from a dog and you'll have you're own tv watch what you want. Like I saiid sit down on steps as you have to and walk up when you can. You can alternate. Best of luck and take care.

If you have stairs at home that you need to navigate, the hospital should not be sending you home until you are safely able to navigate them. You should not use a walker on steps - use a crutch, and PT is responsible for teaching you and watching you return a safe demonstration of how to perform stairs. I guess a really big consideration is how often you will need to navigate all those stairs - will you be staying in once you get up to the third floor? Would someone be able to check on you once a day, get your mail, etc. until you are feeling a little stronger? Perhaps even a home care agency to send someone out during the first week or so? Be safe and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that all will go well for you!

Hi Christi, I just joined this thread. I totally agree that home is THE best place to recover after the mauling of a major operation.

As long as you can climb the stairs, & I would hope the hospital Physio will ensure you can do this before discharge, you should be able to go home. As long as . . .

1. You have someone with you when you go there.

2. You take it very slowly, do not let anyone hurry you up. You take time to rest & place your feet properly on the steps.

I cannot believe they chuck you out of hospital the same day! Wow!

Good luck & I hope you do get to go home.

All the best

Marilyn

XX

Hi christie

The problem you have is that if there are any problems ie stairs toilet bathing or showering you have to get in and out of a bath or shower botth are slippery and the monotony of being on your own can affect you

My wife had just started a new job so was only there in the morning and evenings she was my rock when at home i just had to manage through the day also cooking for yourself is extremely difficult when on two crutches my advice is have someone there at least part of the day i wish you a speedy recovery.

Hi Christi!

I understand that you want to be in your own home. Home always seems best. I DO have some questions for you to help you think more about going it on your own following surgery:

1) What will you do if you fall?

2) Can someone get to you quickly IF you become ill or spike a fever?

3)If you drop your medication, how will you retrieve it?

4)If you are unable to get off the toilet, out of bed, out of a chair etc. what will you do?

5) God forbid there is a fire, a power outage, or some terrible event! How will you handle those ALONE?

After a few weeks you will be able to move a lot better. Swelling will be less. You will be done with blood thinner shots.

My vote?

Stay with a friend for the first few weeks. You will rest much easier with someone there if you need them!

Left TKR-June 2015

Right TKR-October 2015

I had a bilateral knee replacement done. I spent 5 days in hospital and went home to my own home. I had 7 steps just to get into my house and then 13 between levels. My bathroom and bedroom were upstairs so I had to make that trip a couple of times a day. you are getting one knee done right? And you just have to go up the stairs to get to your condo and then you are on one level? I think you should be ok with that part. Nice to have someone around to help though - I was pretty useless for a while.

One simple thing that I would not have survived without is a raised toilet seat. Simple but oh so important.