I'm scheduled to have a total knee replacement in August.
I will need a walking aid after surgery.
After this knee, I will go through this again for the other knee.

No matter what entrance I use in my Home I have to go up stairs (about 5 steps)
From those that have been there, what do you recommend for a walking aid?

I haven't had the surgery YET, but will probably have to in the future. FWIW, I'd think a walker would be nearly impossible on stairs and a crutch a PITA. I'd vote for the cane, it's a lot more negotiable than a crutch.

I'm certain the Surgeon and Physical Therapist will thoroughly evaluate your needs (accounting for your home/life situation) and make a recommendation for every stage of your recovery.

I was on one leg for a few months and had several stairs to negotiate - cane crutches that had a forearm brace was the answer. I would joke that I could climb a ladder using them.

You’ll likely start with a walker. They are a PITA where steps are involved, but your PT person will help you sort that out.

Once you are able to stand and walk a bit, I recommend trekking poles over a cane or crutches. Link to the most recent pair I bought.

They aide balance, but don’t allow you to put weight on them, preventing bad habits from forming (e.g., leaning on crutches, favoring one leg).

Good luck.

Just a guess, but I have been on crutches (different problem) before. They take weight off your feet and legs, when you want to be putting weight on them. You will, or should be, given instructions and "hands-on" physical therapy.

Use whatever the doc says, then order a Custom Irish Shillelagh made from irish blackthorn, and once you are through with recovery, it becomes your self defense walking stick for going into gun free zones, planes, just around the park!

link

What you will need depends on your age, overall physical condition, weight, etc.

I was fortunate in that I’m not overweight and in decent shape when my knee was replaced at age 56. I went through about 32 years of bone on bone.

One of the conditions of release from the hospital was to go up/down 8-10 steps, sorry I was on drugs so I don’t remember what the “flight” was at the hospital, and I was shocked I could do it.

Whatever you do follow the recommended pain medication regimen. Do not skip any of them because once you’re behind, it takes a long time to recover. Follow your PTs instructions! This is a huge factor for a quick recovery. I was on crutches for about one week, then a single crutch for about another week.

Best of luck!

Having gone through both knees for surgery (not at same time; 1 year apart), after the surgery, you’ll be going to rehab 2 to 3 times weekly at first, and then reduced as you regain strength and mobility.

You’ll need a walker at first, as that’ll give you the most stability when walking. As to cane, walking stick, or crutches, that’ll depend upon how you go with rehab and after.

I use a cane with a derby handle (looks kinda like a pistol grip), versus the traditional shepherds hook; just more comfortable as you can lean on it better. I’m a big guy, and my custom-sized cane is rated for up to 500 lbs (thicker handle and shaft), and make certain it is proper in length for your height. Good for a “people-prodder” when needed too. I’d stay away from the adjustable aluminum versions; too lightweight.

This is my cane system which has a good selection of what you might want or need. https://royalcanes.com/

For me it was walker then cane.

I used this to keep my legs up at night, and during the day. I would recommend it or something similar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...n_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I'M 77 and still in the recovery stage of having my left knee replaced. I don't have stairs to contend with so I was able to get by with a walker in the house and trips to the doc. Switched to a good rollator when walking outside and later to trekking poles. By then I was using a cane for trips to the store or doc.

In-home PT about 1-2 weeks post-op really helped as did out-patient PT where I only used the cane to get in and out of the facility. Five weeks post-op I was using my rower 30 minutes every day, doing PT 3x/week, and not using any walking aids.

I had both of my knees replaced 90 days apart at age 68. I was on a walker for a week and then a cane for another couple of weeks. I was released to drive at 2 weeks. Physical therapy was very important and exercises when not at therapy.

quote:

Originally posted by armored:
I'm scheduled to have a total knee replacement in August.
I will need a walking aid after surgery.
After this knee, I will go through this again for the other knee.

No matter what entrance I use in my Home I have to go up stairs (about 5 steps)
From those that have been there, what do you recommend for a walking aid?

You will be issued a folding walker upon discharge.

I have gone through bilateral knee replacement twice. First time was bone on bone from arthritis 12 years ago. The second procedure was done after a fall and I contracted a strep infection that attached to the prostheses which had to be removed for extended IV antibiotic treatment. This was 3 years ago. Each time the surgeries were 8 weeks between the knee replacements. I was up on my feet within 24 hours after every procedure. I was on a walker immediately and yes that contraption is the biggest pain in the butt that has been designed to supposedly aid you in getting around. You will probably advance to crutches and then a cane. Walkers are pretty much worthless for up steps and even more so going down. Your therapist will give you instruction as to use. In my case having a sturdy railing was useable and folding the walker and using like an ungainly cane in the other hand. This may or may not be applicable to your case so I will not venture any guesses. The best advice I can give you is to do your therapy aggressively, it will be painful at first but the end result is fully worth the discomfort endured in the beginning stages. FWIW, each time my therapist recommended taking a pain reliever about an hour before the early therapy sessions and it was good advice, which I found out after forgetting once. As far as moving around there was little to no pain but the stretching in therapy was uncomfortable. Like most major surgeries there is a time post procedure that it just doesn't feel like the joints are yours but sometime down the road you will one day realize that it is "the new normal" (I HATE that phrase) and you feel like you are back to being yourself again. The main thing is that almost immediately for me all the pain I was experiencing from the joint damage was gone and what you will now be feeling will go away with time as you get past the surgical trauma and you complete healing.

quote:

armored

I would suggest that you start now doing some leg exercises to strengthen your leg before the surgery. It will help to speed up your recovery.

You also need to be prepping your home before the surgery. When I had my Open heart surgery one requirement for my release to go home was to have grab rails installed in the shower(s) in my home. In your case grab rails will be an absolute requirement. I would also suggest that if the steps you mentioned are at your homes entry's and exits make sure you have two railings at each point and make they are good and solid.

College girl. Post grad mid-late 20’s. That should help you walk some by following her around.

I have had both knees done. You will be up walking in the hospital the day of surgery on a walker. Everyone is different but I used the walker for close to a week and then you transition to a cane for support for maybe another week?

Good luck and when it is over with you will say to yourself, 'why did I wait so long!' You will feel brand new.

I am just over 4 months post-op.

Around the house I used a walker for the first couple weeks. It was good not only to help with stability but also to “carry” things such as ice packs, etc. as I moved around.

If I was leaving the house, only took a cane as it was much more manageable.


I’ll repeat what a previous reply said - start your PT to get your leg (specifically quads) in better shape [b]NOW[b]. I had a pretty quick recovery but am still having to intentionally walk without a limp. That is quads and hip muscles and you’ll be surprised how much they atrophy in the 1-2 months post op that you are really limited in using them.


Instead of the cheapo folding walker, I have one of these - it was left over from when my dad lived with use and is useful to carry stuff around as well as having a seat. It does fold up some so can be transported in car if needed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075L3PMH5


I also highly recommend getting a cold water circulator - it may seem like a big expense, but much better than dealing with ice packs and you will need to frequently be icing your knee and keeping it elevated.

I balked at getting one originally, but a friend loaned me hers and after a day or two I bought one of my own.

There are several options, but this is the one I got and was very happy with it. It had a better flow rate and larger “pad” than the one I borrowed.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z5466KZ


Finally, PT PT PT! I recovered quick but hit a plateau about 5-6 weeks ago and have been slow to improve since. My fault - with going back to work and being out of the house 12+ hours a day I didn’t make time to do my exercises as much as I should have.

As of Friday, I will be RETIRED so starting Saturday my new routine will be a minimu of 2 hours a day of PT and leg exercises.


Pre-op my range of motion was -2 to 120 degrees in my bad knee and -3 to 123 in my good (well, “better”) knee. I am now at -1 to 120-121 so it is a “success” as the post op goal is 116 or better.

Still a bit weak in my thigh/quads and slightly uneven gate. Hopefully a solid month or two of getting serious with daily PT will take care of that.

I had knee replacement surgery 4 weeks ago. I'm 71. First, as already stated, build up your muscles before surgery. I can't believe how sore my muscles are now and weak.
I have good range of motion and already walk better but I'm really stiff.
I used the walker for the first few days and transitioned to a Cain which I use when outside but it is really gives me a safety net if needed.
As others have said, keep ahead of the pain and medicate before the pain comes on strong.
I walk up 14 stairs at least 10 times a day, but going down steps is still limited to one step at a time.
Sleeping is rough for me, 3 to 4 hours a night at best. I transition from the bed to a recliner several times a night.

Good luck, stick with the PT, i had in house for 2 weeks and now go to rehab 3x a week.