Going out side ? Public places ?

fReedom
fReedom Member Posts: 14
in Living with arthritis

What stage did people wait until going outside?

I was figuring waiting until 8 weeks after operation, where risk of dislocation is lower.

I've been out in the garden.

How is it in places with lots of people ? How can I be safe and ensure I do not get knocked over or hurt ?

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Comments

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 846

    hi @fReedom

    I was out and about the day after I had my clamps out. I was desperate to get out and about with my walking sticks - even if I couldn't walk very far I was outside the constraints of the house and garden.

    You just have to be careful in public, there are no guarantees on how people will behave and you just have to keep an eye out and be aware of what's going on around you. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be, but, you have to be aware of your limitations and use your walking sticks to support you.

    Trish

  • Fran54
    Fran54 Member Posts: 306

    @fReedom

    I think it was about a week before I went outside (only walking round my patio before that with my crutches) and then I only walked a few yards to the top of my road. Gradually day by day as my confidence grew I walked a little further . When I was told by my physiotherapist to try walking with just a stick only then did I feel confident enough to actually be around other people. If you are not sure perhaps you can get advice from your physiotherapist or contact the hospital, also I did have my hubby with me for support. Everyone progresses at different rates so try not to worry, better to be safe than sorry!

  • Bryony
    Bryony Member Posts: 87

    I'm still waiting knee surgery but use two sticks. I find that people give a wide berth when they see the sticks. However after I had a hysterectomy I didn't need to use sticks, so it wasn't obvious I'd recently had an operation. I did have an unruly big dog on a lead (with a selfish owner) jump up at me and hit my stomach. Had I been using sticks I think he might have taken more care to control his dog, but maybe not!

    As well as watching out for dogs, watch out for school-age kids, and university age students who are so fixated on their phones they'll walk into lamp posts as well as not seeing humans, and also little kids who are preoccupied with their latest skips and jumps. Try to choose quiet times when there are few of those around!

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