Should i spend money having a ramp built for 4 steps?

Posted , 14 users are following.

I haven't had my thr operation yet but I understand you can usually hancle a few steps maybe two wekks after   But might the absence of the ramp--the necessity of walking up four steps to get into the house and then perhpas another four steps up to another part of the house cause me to have to stay in a rehab place for a week?  Did nost of you who did not have a skilled nurse in the family , have to spend a week in rehab?  

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  • Posted

    Before I was released from hospital 2 days after surgery, they tested me on a flight of 10 steps. I went slow, but it was fine.

    I have 2 steps at the front door then 15 steps up to the second floor that I was doing at least once daily on my own.

    You just go slowly with the method they teach you. Its easy.

    • Posted

      I'm originally from Canada--and my sister is up there and she has been procrastining on hip replacement and I'm trying to get her to consider plunging in.  ANyway thanks for your comments.  Yes , it seems to me that I have seen pictures showing people being introduced to stairs very soon after the operation. Since we are from the same country, I will take the liberty of asking you a question that may be off topic:  What is the best way to move systematically --in a n orderly way-  thorugh the various forum--interactive--per group as opposed to professionals--posts . I have been relying on clicking on the mail that I get entitled --or arriving from--"patient" and getting in that way but after I reas ethe comments on a certain trhead, I don't know what to do, so I on the search thing, punch in "forum" and "hip replacement" and maybe another key word such as "anterior" I don't see much if any distinction being made between anterior and rposterior in these posts. Which did you have?     

  • Posted

    I spent 2 weeks in rehab. They taught me to go up & down stairs and I was hopping on one leg!! Rehab is a great place to learn those things. They even taught me to go up & down a slope using walker. And how to go up and down a curb. What I really liked the most was how they came to my house prior to me leaving to ensure I was able to get around safely at home. I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks. I was either in a wheelchair or walker. Hubby wheeled me in & out of home. Good luck! 🍀. May God bless you with a speedy recovery!!LD

  • Posted

    Hi there it's June here I would wait until your surgery is done.  I had THR left leg and I am doing fine as far as walking goes.  I walk up and down 12 stairs in my home every day.  Of course the first 10-14 days I wa limited.  I used my cane the best I could.  Now since Sept I am doing fine.  I was the nurse in my family as I worked in the hospital most of my life in different aread including  ortho and was a nursing assistant all  those years.  I am  sure you will be fine.  What is your age as that has a part to play in it as well.  I wish you the very best and hope all goes well.  All te best  June

    • Posted

      Thanks for your kind willingness to help especially since you WORKED in the field!! You asked what is my age and the anwer is 81.  Like you , I am going to have THR in my left leg. It will be "Left hip OA Anterior " --at least that's what the "diagnosis " is on a sheet described as the  the Physical Therapists'  ("PT/ATC/OT" sheet. Another sheet , also addressed to the physical therpaist says.  under "diagnosis";  "S/PL THA Anterior."   Do you have nay idea what those things stand for?   

    • Posted

      I'm 81 years old.  But I guess age is only part of the description of my stamina .. I have had Parkinsons diseases for about thirty years ten of which I have been awaure of it. Tha wears me down. And although I am very hard-working about some things --WAS very har-working--like playing tha paino and practicing pipe organ--I NEVER COULD get interested nor was I ever able to force mysled to do exercises. 

    • Posted

      Hi I think you are marvellous. I am 70 years old and feel frustrated because I can't walk any distance. Having a positive attitude goes a long way with getting better.

      I love music but can't play any instruments, that is why I love to dance but I'm having problems with that because of my foot.

      All the best Brenda C 

  • Posted

    I only had 2 steps but they where doozies of a steps! 7 & 8 inches!! It was too hard to do with walker. So I stayed in wheelchair. I really still can't go down those 2 steps, I'm weight bearing now, but I can come up one. I'm using a crutch, and these are outside steps. In my garage I have 5 steps but I can do those pretty easy. Plus I have a rail on one side. The ones outside don't have rails. I too was taught in hospital the day I left but it was only the one time. In rehab they teach it every day till you are comfortable with it. Best of luck!! LD

  • Posted

    Ultimately this will depend on you and your specific outcome, but I don't think it will be needed. I was planning to install a stair lift to take me from main level of house to upper level. Would just not be able to access lower levels. We had to participate in a 3 hour joint replacement class prior to scheduling. I was advised then, that it wouldn't be needed. I have about 2 steps into side door of house and 6 steps from main to upper level. I have been up and down with no issues. I had even planned to get a little fridge and bring my keurig upstairs, thinking some days I might need to hunker down upstairs, as there is no bathroom on main level- and I was not interested in using a bedside commode. That said, I've been up and down the stairs using a cane from day one. PT has taken me out the front door twice - about 5 steps, the first time was last week, about 1 week post op. I think, fortunately, most of us feel we are going to be a lot more incapacitated than we end up. There are exceptions I'm sure, but I've been walking since day one. Had afternoon surgery, 1 night in hospital, discharged about 3:00 next afternoon which 24 hours prior, I was still in surgery. Had brief PT session in hospital - walked halls, did a semi-lengthy staircase and been walking ever since. Might be unnecessary expense. Good luck.

  • Posted

    Think of it this way....you only have to go up one step...4 times. Just focus on one stair at a time and you will be fine.
    • Posted

      EXCELLENT --a thought you can apply to MANY challenges Well put !!
  • Posted

    I had bilateral THR in August and before I could be sent home had to be able to do 5 steps up and down...

    I did this  day  6 and went home on day 8 ..... no nurse in the family just my husband to take care of me. 

     

    • Posted

      Can you please tell me what bilateral means --is it different from posterior or a sub-dividions --a certain TYPE of posterior? Or is it more simlar to anterior?? 
    • Posted

      hi active,

      bilateral means both hips at the same time !!!!.....

      very brave people. ..

      do you have a date for the surgery?

      great to see you here again. ..

      big warm hug

      Renee 💙.

  • Posted

    You probably will be ok if you are reasonably fit. I was taught to walk up and downstairs with a crutch whilst in hospital. I was worried about the stairs before I had surgery, but it was much easier than I expected. Good luck.

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