Jo, I never used a walker EVER!! I would rather die than walk around with a walker. I used crutches in the hospital, because the nurses were so uptight. But on the am of day three I walked out of the hospital with no crutches and really never used them--although I kept them in the house for a day or two. I went to outpatient pt on day four or five and they told me then that I did not need crutches and to forget about them. I think that sometimes people are afraid to walk on the hew knee and my balance is pretty good from skiing. And, I have never even considered using a cane.
I tried the walker once with my first tkr and it was such a pain in the rear, that I used it for one hour total. (My husband insisted that I needed one!) I have a small house and I had to constantly walk around carrying the darn thing around the corners and it was pretty heavy!! Also, my studio is downstairs and I refused to carry it down with me. They tried to make me use one in the hospital, but I would not do it. I just walked around the hospital---if I saw a nurse, I would drag the walker behind me or carry it down the hall folded up. Finally they told me to forget it!
I have had both shoulders done with acromioplasty!! It is a painful surgery----I cried one day, which I could not even believe!! I am definitely not a person who cries from pain!! The best thing I ever did was get a thick belt which fit around my sling and body. I would belt the arm to my body so that I could go hiking or to the gym and my arm would not fall out of the sling or move around too much. I did have one spectacular fall like that---I slipped on some bear grass and because my arm was tied to me, I could not stop myself. Tried to dig in my heels, etc. Ended up about 200 feet down from where I started. At the end, I was laughing so hard that I was out of breath and could not answer my friends who asked if I was okay!! I did beat them down!! Luckily, I had on long sleeves and long pants, so no damage. I had to wear a sling for 12 weeks---the worst experience of my life!! I coached soccer that fall and looked like an idiot running around with my arm belted to my body. Oh well, that was long before I would even think about my knees.
I am glad that I had my shoulders done because they ached all the time. I could hardly sleep at night. But, I am sorry that I had my knees done. I liked my own knees better, even though they hurt, the fake knees just don't do it for me. Kelly
United States
Then, I asked at rehab if I could try out crutches, and they told me they weren't sure because they take so much balance and coordination! 
so you're not thinking you need a second opinion? I have a really great walker with slow moving wheels on the front made the treks around the house easier - how bout I hand deliver it to you? England, right-o?
Not fun my friend!
