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Stairs

Posted , 13 users are following.

jennifer86394
jennifer86394

Morning all.  I have my hip replacement op in 2 weeks.  Just wondered if any of you post op lovely people have any thoughts on stairs.  We live in a flat which will be great once I'm home as we're all on one floor.  The problem is we have 40 stairs to climb to get to our flat.  I know before I leave hospital I will have physio so hopefully will get the opportunity to practice going up and down stairs.  My husband is great and is saying don't worry we'll get you up there somehow but it is a bit of a worry to me.  

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • lors23
    lors23 jennifer86394

    Posted

    Hi jennifer

    Don't worry your PT will not discharge you from hospital until you can climb stairs. It one of the things you must be able to do before you leave.

    I have had both hips replaced within 3 months and have 6 steps up to my house and 13 inside.

    I reccomend when you arrive home l take it there is rail or a rail to hold onto to go up the 40 stairs if not just make sure your other half to be there for support and take your time do so many at a time then take a break for a minute. You will manage it fine when l got home l managed up and down my stairs inside my house no problem you will find an easy way to do it on your own that is more comfortable.

    Good Luck

    Laura

    X

  • bini31328
    bini31328 jennifer86394

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer , am sending you loads of positive vibes for your operation 😀. As you say the physio will get you to practice stairs and they wont discharge you until you are safe to do so. However 40 stairs is a lot! If they dont think you will be able to manage them they can arrange ambulance transport home so you can be stretchered up or carried in an ambulance chair. Are there landings between them ie is it four flights of ten ? If so you could get your helpful hubby to place a dining chair ( with a cushion for extra height) on each landing so you can rest for 5 minutes between each one . As you say once you are up your flat is all on one level so things will be easier . I have a standard flight of stairs in my house - 13 steps - but they go round two corners so the narrow bit was hard but tbh i was going up and down them numerous times each day from going home so my guess is you will be fine, so please dont worry xxx
    • linda38528
      linda38528 bini31328

      Posted

      Super practical advice! I agree that 40 stairs are a lot and ambulance transport is a good suggestion if uneasy about them (and I would have been). :-))) 

      Sending lots of hugs and good wishes for a smooth surgery and recovery.  

      Make sure that friends come to visit you and come back and let us know how you are doing. 

       

  • erika61265
    erika61265 jennifer86394

    Posted

    I agree with everyone Jennifer. I had my physical therapist come see me before I was discharged and she showed me how to go up and down stairs before I left. 40 is a lot but have a rail and your cane and someone with you. Take a break if you need it but you will be fine!! smile sending you all good thoughts for your surgery. Relax you will be on the other side with us hippies before you know it smile
  • sue1957Geo
    sue1957Geo jennifer86394

    Posted

    Hiya Jennifer,

    Tell them you have alot of stairs, when you had your assessment for bits you needed did you say then, but they will teach you how to go up and down, it will take you a time to climb them, took me ages and I only had 11,

    Good luck hun,

    Suexx

  • steph81051
    steph81051 jennifer86394

    Posted

    Just a bit of a thought... It might be useful if you look at some of the great online info about using crutches on stairs. Then have a go at practising the sequence of leg, crutch/stick etc BEFORE your operation to help prepare yourself. I had to think about it really hard to start off with, but it soon became automatic. Am now 3 weeks post op and and don't have to use the crutch for stairs as I improve at weight bearing, although I still carry it just in case! Remember, "good leg first UP to heaven, bad leg first DOWN to hell". Your crutch is always in support of the bad leg. As others have said, make sure the physio in hospital is aware of your situation. You will be fine I am sure.
    • alipet
      alipet steph81051

      Posted

      Haha, I remember good leg up to heaven, bad leg up to heaven, then bad leg down to hell !

      When I first came home my son came up behind me and was laughing at me saying 'good leg up to heaven' etc. Coming down stairs on my first morning after was more of a trauma because my husband stood halfway down the stairs just in case. Unfortunately he was on crutches too and so if I'd have gone, we would both have been in a heap at the bottom- thank goodness those days are behind me!

      .I am 9 weeks post op now, and am happy on stairs as long as there is a bannister.

  • michelb
    michelb jennifer86394

    Posted

    I was also very concerned about steps but it's really not a problem.  Within a three days after my posterior operation, I was able to go up/down slowly with crutches (helps a lot of you have a handrail but our 6 steps at the entrance do not) and within 2 days after my anterior operation, I could go up / down with a cane.

    As others mentioned, the hospital won't discharge you if you can't be safe in your environment (i.e. can't go up / down stairs).

  • lynn66084
    lynn66084 jennifer86394

    Posted

    They will make sure you can do stairs. That's the one thing I was petrified off,but when it came to it,it was a  lot easier than I thought.  Ours are extremly steep and narrow but I managed them as soon as I got home. Mind you, I didn't have as many as you have to cope with. Take rests when you need to.
  • jennifer86394
    jennifer86394

    Posted

    Thank you all so much for your comments.  You are all so helpful.  I have already looked on YouTube at how to get up and down stairs with crutches. I know it's not going to be easy but am now feeling reassured .  I can't thank you all enough. Big hugs to you all.  I will report back after my op and let you know once I've climbed those stairs.  😀
  • susyp
    susyp jennifer86394

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer I too was worried about stairs pre op. I have 30 to my flat and can honestly say they were not a problem. You will be shown how to get up and downstairs. Don't worry you will be fine

    Best wishes

    Sue x

  • Laoko21903
    Laoko21903 jennifer86394

    Posted

    Hi Jennifer 

    also remember when going up ABC( able leg then bad leg then crutch)

    going down CBA( crutch first then bad leg then able leg)

    its a good practice walking up and down  stairs

    it will strengthen the weak muscles

    dont worry you should be fine

    i was so scared in the beginning but managed stairs well

     

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