steps

[cindy88fan]

I sent a message to sticker lady and simon but if anybody can answer before they do would be great. My deck is almost done and the steps will be 3-4 inches high, will I be able to use them to get into my house when I get home from the hospital? A friend said I should have had a ramp built instead. I'm having both knees done. I think I can do it. What do you think?:thmb:

 

[calling_all_angels]

Ohhhhhhhhh Wow,
That is a good question!!! Where is Crystal? She could tell you
if she would have been able to have done that.

 

[Linda2]

Tell the PT people that you have steps. They sill make sure you are able to navigate them before they send you home.

 

[loribee59]

you could put in a temporary ramp until you feel confident that your knees are strong enough to climb the stairs.

 

[Jamie]

Those are very low riser steps and I'm betting you will do just fine. Most of the time you have to be able to do some steps to go home from the hospital. You will have someone there to assist if necessary, right???

 

[RickB]

Cindy,
I had three steps into my house. My OS knew me well and would not discharge me and let me go home until I insured her I could walk up the steps. Please do not worry, you be able to manage. What really worrys me, is that you live alone. Cindy you will need someone to help you the first two weeks. Please tell us you'll have someone.

 

[calling_all_angels]

Rick is right Cindy

 

[Motherofmany]

Yes Cindy, those should be fine. I only had my right knee done, but I ended up coming in my front door using the right foot to lead. :shk: The steps are very high and I wasn't sure how to manage the threshhold. Make sure you step over the threshhold and have someone there to assist with your walker. I could have come in the back door, the steps are short like yours however there were too many of them.

PT will work with you on steps before they allow you to come home. Not sure which foot you will lead with since you are having both done. You should be able to do them, just make sure you have taken your pain medication before you try and you aren't dizzy or wobbly. It will be good if you have your new chair with arms ready inside the door incase you need to rest before heading in to bed. Just take it nice and slow.

 

[cindy88fan]

Yes. My niece is staying with me the first week and then all the people that work for me are each coming over to check on me after that. And the guys that are putting the deck in are really sweet.....and BIG. They told me to have my Dad call them when we are on our way home and they will be there to help me in the house if I need it. Thank- you for all your input! God Bless all of you!

 

[Jamie]

That sounds GREAT, Cindy. And what wonderful deck guys!!! They each get a BoneSmartie ((((HUG))))!!!

 

[Josephine]

When I got home from hospital, I was on my own for a few hours till my brother and his wife arrived. In that time I went upstairs twice. My stairs have 7" risers and there are 14 of them! It was a breeze! Mind you, I did go up and down very slowly and carefully!

 

[calling_all_angels]

But can she do that with having both knee's done????

 

[Josephine]

They will make sure she can before she leaves hospital. It's part of the discharge criteria - least it is in thsi country.

 

[calling_all_angels]

I think they do it here to But they also told me to try and stay on one floor for the first 2weeks. I guess each hospital has different stuff they to the people.

 

[FrogFeathers]

For what its worth, I found that pulling myself up a few steps was infinitely easier and more stable than trying to navigate a ramp. My mom has a ramp and the overwhelming feeling of my knee going weak and like it was going to give out under my weight made me brave the two unrailed steps to the back door and the five railed steps inside the house.

Ramps aren't much good when you've got wobbly knees- at least for me, they weren't. I still don't like to walk down my mom's ramp. I have to take half steps and it takes me longer than if I just dart down the five steps to the door and then the two unrailed ones outside.

 

[Texas]

I think if you go slow. You may not get it right away but you will, It will take a lil time. I see everyone had to walk a few stairs before leaving the hosp. I never did , I dont know why they only made me walk the hall a lil.....??? But i did try on my own and I eventually made it...you will to I wouldnt worry. I still have trouble going up and down all the time but I hold the rail and take my tme. Last few steps are a ******...lol

 

[loribee59]

sometimes, the easiest way to climb down the stairs, is just going backwards. I've no problem climbing up, going down really hurts my knee in the medial side. yowie!

 

[Texas]

Same here Up ok down sometimes, I just want to slide right down on my botton...lol

 

[cripplenomore]

Hi Cindy, I was able to use the steps (only 4 of them) to get into my aunt's house when I came home from the hospital. Make sure the physical therapists give you step training before you leave the hospital. You just take it one at a time, using the railing and a cane. You step up with your good leg, bringing up the operated leg to that step. To go down, you use the operated leg to step down, bringing down the good leg, one step at a time. You won't believe how easy it is! Just take your time! Best wishes, Paula

 

[RickB]

Puala,
That is very good information on doing steps but Cindy is have both knees done, BTKR. She will be using a walker.