Can you Climb Stairs After Knee Replacement?

In my experience as a physical therapist, 10 weeks after knee replacement surgery, patients are generally able to ascend stairs normally.

Normal stair climbing entails placing one foot on each step and moving in a step-over-step fashion. Before this, patients are instructed to employ an "up with the good, down with the bad" stepping pattern.

Typically, walking upstairs is easier than walking downstairs because walking downstairs places more stress on the knee.

If, after 10 weeks of physical therapy, you are still experiencing significant pain when descending stairs, please consult your surgeon or physical therapist to ensure that you are progressing normally.

Why is walking downstairs more painful than walking upstairs?

Descending stairs increases the shear force on the knee, resulting in increased pressure at the incision site.

As seen in the image, the individual's knee is extended over the heel, increasing anterior shear force and patellar compression when descending stairs.

What is the meaning of "Up with the good and down with the bad"? 

When you first learn how to ascend or descend stairs after knee surgery, you will hear the phrase "up with the good and down with the bad." 

Essentially, your surgical leg will serve as your support leg when ascending stairs. The non-surgical leg will lead you up the stairs with each step. The surgical leg will subsequently lag behind the non-surgical leg.

When descending stairs, you will do the opposite. Your non-surgical leg will serve as your primary support leg, while your surgical leg will be the leading leg.

How do I use a walker to climb stairs after knee replacement surgery?

While using a walker to ascend or descend a staircase, it is recommended to turn the walker on its side and place it on the opposite side of the handrail.

If there is a handrail on both sides of the staircase, it is best to ascend the stairs with the handrail on the side opposite your surgical leg. If you only have a handrail on one side of the staircase, the walker should be placed on the opposite side.

Should I purchase a second walker to help me ascend stairs following knee surgery?

A great tip is to have a second walker upstairs, so you do not have to carry your walker up and down the stairs on each trip.

Local consignment shops and used medical supply depots are typically the best places to find an affordable second-hand walker. Additionally, Goodwill or the Salvation Army may have donated walkers.

After a knee transplant, is it preferable to use a walker, cane, or crutches on stairs?

A walker provides the most support and stability immediately following surgery. Blood loss and iron deficiency are common causes of rapid postoperative fatigue during the first ten days.

Crutches require a significant amount of upper body strength and are typically not recommended for patients who are overweight or elderly.

A cane is an excellent option after 10 days when you have regained strength and confidence in the surgical leg.

Advantages of Knee Replacement

One of the most common reasons adults go to the doctor is for knee pain that doesn't go away. Your orthopedic doctor may suggest that you start with physical therapy, steroid shots, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy. But if none of these treatments work or if they stop working, your doctor may tell you to think about getting a knee replacement.

The knee joint is especially prone to overuse injuries, arthritis, and degeneration because it has a wide range of motion and is able to do the mobility function of bearing weight. Knee replacement surgery, which involves replacing damaged knee tissues with an artificial knee, is often helpful for people whose knees have been hurt or sick for a long time. Patients have said that this surgery gave them permanent pain relief after they had it done.

What are the advantages of knee replacement surgery?

When knee problems are bad, surgery to replace the knee is sometimes the best way to fix them. People who get knee replacements can enjoy many benefits, such as:

Finally Achieving Pain Relief

People who need knee transplants are often in terrible pain because they were born with diseased soft tissues and a damaged joint. After the damaged parts have been taken out, the surgeon will put in the artificial parts (called prostheses). Depending on how bad the damage is, the surgeon may replace just a part of the knee joint or the whole joint.

More than ninety percent of the time, patients who have had knee operations are happy with the results. They say that relieving pain is one of the main reasons for their choice.

Enjoying Greater Mobility

With physical therapy after surgery, patients can regain their full range of motion and feel less pain. This is possible because of the replacement knee. The new knee replacement will feel and work almost the same as your natural knee.

Living a Normal Life

Having any kind of physical limitation, let alone constant knee pain can make it hard to live an active life. Your knee pain might also make it hard for you to get a good night's rest.

When simple things like going for a walk or getting up to carry your grandchild hurt or are hard for you to do, it can be hard on you. Knee replacement surgery has the potential to improve a person's quality of life in a big way, and this improvement can last for years after the surgery is done.

Recovering Comfortably from Home

You will need some kind of physical therapy after knee replacement surgery, which you can do in the comfort of your own home. During the planning phase of your surgery, you and your orthopedic surgeon will talk about whether you could recover and get better at home instead of going to a clinic. A lot of patients would rather do this than have to go to the clinic. Modern medicine has led to big improvements in the health of patients, the efficiency of operations, and the overall quality of life.

Knee replacement specialist surgeon in Chandigarh, India

Talk to Dr. Vikas Mehra, one of the best orthopedic surgeons, if your knee pain is making you feel bad. After looking at your health, we will decide if a knee replacement operation is the best way to treat you or if a less invasive procedure would be better.

Call us at 0172 262 3525 or fill out our online appointment request form to get in touch with our friendly staff. You can get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to set up a meeting with one of our orthopedic surgeons. We're looking forward to helping you get back on your feet.