STAIRWAY: Up & Down Stairs - Knee

Cindy is demonstrating the basic process of going up and down the stairs after surgery using a walker and a cane.  It is important that you consult with your physical therapist on your individual situation regarding how you will enter your house on your return home after surgery.  The basic principle of leading up with the "good" leg first and down with the "bad"/surgical leg first applies in each situation.  Whether or not you can use a cane to assist on the stairs in place of the walker will depend on your weight bearing status and will need to be discussed with your physical therapist prior to returning home.  We always recommend having a caregiver who is able to assist you in entering the home on your return from surgery.   

Using a Walker on the Stairs

The walker is placed sideways on the stairs, opposite a handrail if present.  If there is no handrail for assistance, the walker goes on the side opposite of the surgical leg.  We always recommend having the assistance of another person when at all possible.  Walker wheels can be placed on the inside of the walker to assist with placement of all four legs on the steps depending on step width. Apply a gait belt for safety.

Instructions for going up the stairs with a walker

1. Turn the walker sideways
2. Place the front walker legs on the first step above you, the walker will now sit at an angle upward on the steps
3. Place hand on the front handle of the walker, apply pressure to check for stability
4. Push down on the front handle of the walker and handrail to support the surgical leg as you step up with the strong leg 
5. Then step up with the surgical leg
6. Next, bring the walker up to the next step with the front legs resting on the step above you 

**Due to varying step width, both sets of walker legs may not fully rest on both steps.  Make sure to always apply pressure through the weight bearing handle (front when going up the stairs) of the walker to check for stability before stepping up to the next step.

Instructions for going down the stairs with a walker

1. Turn the walker sideways
2. Place the back walker legs on the step beside you
3. Place hand on the back handle of the walker, apply pressure to check for stability
4. Push down on the back walker handle and handrail, shift weight onto strong leg and step down with the surgical leg 
5. Then step down with the strong leg 
6. Move the walker down to so that the back legs again rest on the step beside you 

**Due to varying step width, both sets of walker legs may not fully rest on both steps.  Make sure to always apply pressure through the weight bearing handle (back when going down the stairs) of the walker to check for stability before stepping down to the next step.

Using a Cane on the Stairs

Place the cane in the opposite hand of the rail or other hand hold **If there is no rail or other hand hold, the cane goes on the opposite side of the surgical leg.  

Always lead up with the good/strong leg first and down with the surgical leg first.

Instructions for going up the stairs with a cane

1. Leave the cane down on the floor or step you are leaving with the surgical leg (some individuals prefer to place the cane on the step they are going up to prior to stepping up with the good leg)
2. Put weight through your hand on the rail and on the cane in order to support the surgical leg
3. Step up with the good leg, followed by the cane and the surgical leg

Instructions for going down the stairs with a cane

Place the cane in the opposite hand of the rail, or other hand hold **If there is not a rail or other hand hold, the cane will go on the  opposite side of the surgical leg

1. Place the cane down on the step below you
2. Put weight through your hand on the rail and on the cane in order to support the surgical leg
3. Step down with the surgical leg, then step down with the good leg

Instructions for going up a platform step 

Option 1:

1. Walk up to the step with the walker getting as close as safely possible
2. Place the walker up on the platform step
3. Put weight through your hands on the walker
4. Step up onto the step with you good leg, followed by the surgical leg

Option 2:

1. Walk up to the step with the walker getting as close as safely possible before turning around backwards to the step
2. Put weight through your hands on the walker
3. Step up onto the step with your good leg, followed by your surgical leg
4. Bring the walker up onto the step

Instructions for going down a platform step

1. Walk up to the step with the walker getting as close as safely possible
2. Place the walker down on the platform step/floor below
3. Put weight through your hands on the walker
4. Step down with your surgical leg, followed by your good leg