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kneebys and crutches

Posted , 6 users are following.

danie61
danie61

hi there from sunny but a bit cold here in south africa.I have had 2 very bad oe knees one has been done and with all the gremlins with it post op 3 months and no pain and starting to sleep well. My problem is i have been on crutches for almost 5 years and feel due to the sucsses of the first tkr i should be able to lose at least one crutch for the left knee is bieng done january, but i cant seem to walk with only one crutch and the new knee can take my full body weight. Please help regards danie johannesburg

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Peglegbev
    Peglegbev danie61

    Posted

    Hi Daniel it may be that you need to build up your muscles have you had physio yet ?
  • mayday35
    mayday35 danie61

    Posted

    danie61  I think a lot of this comes from the mind. If you can persuade yourself one crutch will do the job, you will see it can. I should be on two. Never take the other one walkies. Try it around the house first until you get used to it. Someone came up to me not long ago and said: 'my specialist said two crutches or none at all'  I didnt know who she was and didnt care. But I did reply:  Your doctor can tell you to fly to the moon but its up to you if you decide to try it'! I continued on my way with my one crutch. Now there's something I find a little bit puzzling. We refer only to 'crutches' in English. But to me that means those that tuck under your underarm. In the French the ones that are elbow-supported, are referred to as 'bequilles'.  So far as I know crutches go under the arm so what are we referring to here, those, or the ones that are supported at the elbow?  I have those and just use the one. Right at the beginning I remember I did use both. However I find one suffices and is more comfortable. Did you notice how much more time they spend on the floor incidentally? They are always falling down no matter where you place them! It's hot here right now and we are thankful for the breeze. When that stops it will shoot up to 31° we are told... Regards
  • anne07663
    anne07663 danie61

    Posted

    Why not try a cane and ease of the crutch. I don't think you need it now, it's a comforter for you. Give it a try..you can do it. I never was told to use a crutch. A walker and then a cane. I went back to work with nothing at 12 weeks. Still having a lot of discomfort though. I'm doing my exercises as I write this. I'm 63 and 7 months post op. 
  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 danie61

    Posted

    When i had TKR 3 years ago I had a lot of physio afterwards.

    At physio they made me get rid of my stick. Not straight away but gradually from crutches to stick then from stick to nothing.

    Try it around the house or somewhere where you feel reasonably safe.

    Have you got someone who can be with you the first few times, just to increasse your confidence?

    Let me know how you get on.

    Sarah

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