Managing stairs following a hip replacement

[Golf123]

At what stage have you been able to walk up stairs normally following a hip replacement?

[piglette]

I had my hip done exactly six weeks ago and yesterday was the first time I was able to walk upstairs reasonably normally. I do lean over a bit when putting weight on the operated leg. I actually have more trouble coming downstairs normally. I do revert on going upstairs to using my good leg first if I feel a bit tired.

[Golf123 in reply to piglette]

Are you using any canes to support your going upstairs? Have you progressed from using goog foot up, bad foot down? Any discomfort going up?

[piglette in reply to Golf123]

I have a rail on the stairs which I use.

[Golf123 in reply to piglette]

Thanks. Perhaps I should try and go upstairs on a more normal basis using the bannister for support. Hopefully this will help build the muscle on my hip replacement leg.

[piglette in reply to Golf123]

Are you using crutches? I just gave them up when I got home because I am rubbish with them!

[HeronNS]

I'm curious. Do you have PMR or GCA?

[Golf123 in reply to HeronNS]

Sorry, not sure what you mean.

[HeronNS in reply to Golf123]

I asked because this is the community for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). You might get answers on an osteoarthritis community - although, admittedly most of the other communities aren't as active as this one, and a lot of us have osteoarthritis as well.

[membership]

Coming down is always

more difficult because of the different type of muscle contraction required. Remember.. good to Heaven, bad to Hell.. when trying to move up or down the stairs. Always keep the crutch(es) on the same step as the bad leg, which ever direction of travel.

[Golf123 in reply to membership]

I am going up stairs holding on the rail and as advised good foot up, bad foot down. I also fractured my left wrist which is currently in plaster. I'm hoping that once I can use my wrist again, that I will be able to support my self going up stairs and hopefully put more weight on my left hip too. I don't use crutches. It seems to be a long journey before walking upstairs will be back to normal. I am also considering an exercise bike to build my muscles.