Six weeks post op for a PTR, I have moved rapidly from two crutches, to one and now to none. Although at times I waddle like a duck, I am able to take my full weight on the operated knee and seem to be walking reasonably well for short distances. While I'm easily walking 2-300 metres at a time and feel the knee getting stronger by the day, I'm not sure whether to keep using one crutch so as to build up my ability to walk distances. Any advice?
Crutches
- Thread starter Bev55
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JuneBug88
junior member
Hi,
I never had crutches. I had a walker with wheels, and a cane. I had my rtk 11/27/08, There are times that I do not need any walking help, but there are times that I need my cane or walker. My best advice is listen to your knee.
Take Care!
Debbi
I never had crutches. I had a walker with wheels, and a cane. I had my rtk 11/27/08, There are times that I do not need any walking help, but there are times that I need my cane or walker. My best advice is listen to your knee.
Take Care!
Debbi
United KingdomWell, if you really must use an aid, a crutch is better than a cane as it offers more support but truly I'd abandon it as soon as you can. Learning to cope without is part of the rehab and best not put off if you can help it.
Glad to tell you all that I gave my crutches away today - returned them with glee to the place I hired them from! Also, my PT made my day by confirming that I've hit the 120 ROM level! Yahoo!! Now just taking it day by day enduring the aches and pains of both exercise and extended walking! I'm ready for that though.
For anyone still on crutches though, you may want to consider this in your rehab program: https://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=26985 Have the sound on and select the left hand window. Enjoy!
For anyone still on crutches though, you may want to consider this in your rehab program: https://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=26985 Have the sound on and select the left hand window. Enjoy!
Weezl
junior member
Hi Bev, You're probably getting advice from your PT. You need to become self reliant and a cane is good as long as it feels secure. That's your next goal. But common sense rules. If your at home with places to grab at, or at work where the floors are even, it's good to get used to the cane. If you're out on the street where there are irregularities and the terraine isn't smooth, protect yourself with crutches. When you have progressed you'll use the crutches differently. I can see myself using them outside when I'm walking better if the situation calls for it for quite awhile. Nothing is worth a slip and fall. But then ?????? You've gotta be confident.
Thanks for the advice Weezl, but have gone along with Josephine's suggestion. Am finding that the more I walk the more I'm able to walk. Exercises are increasing my strength and hence my balance is improving.
Have dug out a little gizmo we had around the house some time back - a pedometer - which measures how far you walk. It's great to be able to measure how far I have walked today and can then try and equal or extend it the next day. I'm really enjoying walking down the street - taking much care of course as I go. It certainly beats walking round and round the house which had been my "beat" for the last few weeks! Instead of a cane I enlist the company of my husband or a friend. Sometimes we hold hands, more and more though I am letting go. I figure it's important to build up confidence to walk on my own. I head back to work soon and will need to get to this level at some point.
Have dug out a little gizmo we had around the house some time back - a pedometer - which measures how far you walk. It's great to be able to measure how far I have walked today and can then try and equal or extend it the next day. I'm really enjoying walking down the street - taking much care of course as I go. It certainly beats walking round and round the house which had been my "beat" for the last few weeks! Instead of a cane I enlist the company of my husband or a friend. Sometimes we hold hands, more and more though I am letting go. I figure it's important to build up confidence to walk on my own. I head back to work soon and will need to get to this level at some point.
lindaolson65
new member
My best advice to you is to use whatever assistive devices you need to avoid limping. You do NOT want to develop bad body mechanics because they can cause all sorts of problems down the road. I developed pes bursitis due to bad body mechanics, and it really got in the way of my recovery. While you're practicing walking without assistance, pay attention to your gait. If you start to limp, grab your cane or crutches. If you start having pain, that's your cue to STOP! I made the mistake of trying to walk through my pain and limp in order to build up my strength and endurance. Big mistake. If I could do it over, I'd proceed more slowly and gradually.
Linda
Linda
Good points, Linda. I know even after my arthroscopy I had incredible pain when I put wait on my knee. I had a chat with the physio and she watched me walking. Then she made a few suggestions about how I was walking. I turned out my coordination was all to pot and I was putting weight on the flexed knee instead of on the straight knee! Such a small adjustment and whilst I limped in painfully and slowly, I walked out with a confident and pain-free stride! Indeed, acquiring incorrect body mechanics can be disastrous.
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