Stair Climbing Restrictions?

[stephen1254]

I'm at 12 days post-op. Since day 10 I have been walking around the house without assistance, and with a good gait. I have also been climbing our stairs in a normal fashion, with each leg advancing another step. I do support myself with the stair rail.

I just read another post that placed use of the Stairmaster in the same category as running - a no - no for a year. I realize climbing 15 stairs 5 - 6 times a day is not the same as using a Stairmaster, but has anyone's doctor placed a restriction on climbing stairs? I did not ask my doctor that question at discharge.

[Woodstock Hippy]

I'd be interrested to hear how a Stairmaster relates to running.  I always thought it was a no impact way to get in an aerobic workout.  My in house PT's at NYU Rusk Rehab Hospital had me climbing the stairs with one crutch during the first week.  When I got home, my first problem was after doing too much stair work on my own.  It left me sore and set me back a few days.  Just go easy on the stairs.

[ScubaDuck]

I don't think that stairs or the stairmaster would be restricted under normal situation.  There may be special restrictions if you have low bone density or some other condition that warrants it.  It is the impact that you want to avoid at first to let the bone heal enough.

Dan

[imgetinold]

Hmmmm.......

There are different types of stair climbing machines, and I think the restriction would apply to some and not others.

I think this type would have a restriction, since you are picking up your foot, and placing it on the next step with some force.  Plus, in an exercise setting, you're putting a lot of pressure on the femoral neck.



I would think these types of climbers would be better, since your foot stays in contact with the platform:





I would specifically ask your surgeon, though.

[Tin Soldier]

I had no stair restrictions.  The Stairmaster restriction seems odd to me.   

[Dannywayoflife]

I fully understand the no running thing as 10x your body weight go through your joints but even the stair master that you pick up your foot would surely be the same as walking. But I'd listen to your surgeon. They know best!

[Neild5]

I was encouraged to do stairs and used the kind of stair machine that your foot stays in contact with in PT at a week.  The biggest restriction my doctor put me on was common sense for the first year.  He told me to listen to my body and it would let me know what I should not do.

[Anniee]

I had no restrictions for stairs - the physical therapists showed us how to go up and down the day after surgery!  There were restrictions on running, so maybe some stair machines are more like running than walking up and down?