Post-Op Protocols

About Knee Replacement: Walking After Knee Replacement – Walking Aids

Walker

• Helps with balance and stability.
• Always plant all four legs of the walker firmly on the ground before taking a step.

Crutches

• Requires good balance and strong arms.
• Always support your weight on your hands, never on your underarm.

Cane

• Helps with balance.
• Use in hand opposite injured/weak leg.

Finding the right height

• Place the handgrips for walker, crutches, or cane at hip level so that elbow is slightly bent.

Safety tips

• Rubber tips help keep you from slipping; check and change tips if they look worn.
• Wear sturdy, low-heeled shoes with non-skid soles to prevent falls.
• Keep the walker, crutches or cane close to you to avoid slipping.
• Slow down! Plan extra time to get around and allow time to stop and rest.

Stair Climbing

• Use rail when one is available; if not, use walking aid or person.
• Remember: up with the good and down with the bad, go up steps with good foot up first and go down steps with bad foot down first.

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