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When can I expect to walk up and down stairs following TKR

Posted , 19 users are following.

Schumacher13
Schumacher13

Hi, I am just over 9 weeks post op and I really want to walk up & down the stairs without pain?

I keep trying but although I can go up it's not without pain and I can't do downstairs yet?

Prior to the op I struggled with the stairs for about 2 years and I so want to be able to do this with ease!! Am I expecting too much too soon?

Would really appreciate hearing how others did with stairs

Thanks

Pauline.

1 like, 46 replies

46 Replies

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  • moandrieu
    moandrieu Schumacher13

    Posted

    Pauline, we are all different. My PT had me going up and down a handful of stairs at a time by the end of my second week. Hurt like holy heck. But because I live in an apartment and just one floor up, I had a set of stairs that I would force myself to use, unless I was carrying a heavy load. I remember one day I was walking up the steps and I realized that while it wasn't exactly comfortable, the pain was not like what it was before surgery - there was some rejoicing in that. The thing to remember is that stairs do put a strain on your joints and that in reality, if possible, we shouldn't be taking them unnecessarily. I remember watching a video that was pro knee replacement and the lady they showed going up and down the stairs did them in a sort of side way move. I was determined to walk up and down the way a normal person would. I'm there sometimes, but I don't quite have the same spring in my step that I'm hoping to achieve. Until I get it, I will continue working on it.
  • Wiechman
    Wiechman Schumacher13

    Posted

    I am 90 days post op. At 5 weeks dr sent me on my way. Range was 126 flex 0. I am athletic so came back quick. Having one issue. Stairs. Going down ok. Going up had strained my IT band which slowed me down. It's a little better so pushing going up stairs again. Steps with less incline not a problem syepswith a steeper incline are tougher Still feels weak and a little pain. Wondering how long this will go on. Everything else is good. Been back to karate for a month now. Can kick, pivot etc

    Any thoughts about the steps would be great. Thanks

  • debbie95361
    debbie95361 Schumacher13

    Posted

    I am at 4 wks post op. I have not even done anything with steps yet, is that normal. I am doing outpatient pt 3 times a week & doing my exercise 3 times a day on nom outpatient days. I have bend at 95 & straightening at -12. I see my ortho Dr at 6 wks & at that time if he releases me to work, I have about 6-8 steps going into work. I am worried I won't be able to do them at 6-8 wks. I used walker for 3-1/2 wks & just switched to cane couple days ago. Slow but sure.

    • irenetara
      irenetara debbie95361

      Posted

      Hi Debbie,

      I am 7 weeks out from double knee replacement. Stairs are still a challenge for me. I can go up, with some difficulty, one foot after the other. Coming down I still go one at a time and side ways. Partly because my left knee does not have a good bend and the other is that I am afraid of falling. Check with your PT I was doing one step by two weeks. Keep the faith, it will come.

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