Health STEP Climbing the stairs is something we hope to be effortless, but after surgery, or during a flair, you need to take extra care BY When your joints ache, or youre recovering from knee or hip surgery, something as simple as managing the stairs can be a challenge. Here, we talk to Matt Piff, physiotherapy regional lead at Nuffield Health, to discover the steps you can take to improve your mobility and balance. BY HOLLY TREACY STEP doing all the work. Physiotherapists often use the phrase the good go to heaven and the bad go to hell to help people remember the pattern. In other words, the good leg goes first when ascending the stairs (towards heaven) and the bad goes first when descending the stairs (to hell). Going up When it comes to climbing the stairs following a total hip replacement, a total knee replacement (TKR) or when you have lower limb joint osteoarthritis, it can seem like a daunting and painful task, Matt Piff tells us. But it doesn t have to be if you follow some simple tips. Are there any specific techniques to consider? We would advise to climb the stairs one at a time, leading with your good (or non-operated) leg this means the good leg is doing all the work, says Matt. Hold on To help further, use a stick or elbow crutch to give more support, keeping the aid with your bad leg when ascending or descending, advises Matt. Want to feel even safer? If there is a banister, use this in your other hand it gives you something to push against, helping to take some of the weight off your legs. Coming down Take your time Once youve reached the top of the stairs, the next step is mastering coming back down. When descending the stairs, you should do the opposite to going up, says Matt. Descend one step at a time with your bad (or operated) leg leading, again meaning your good leg is Waiting to recover can be frustrating at times, but patience and practice will really pay off. Take it slow. Rushing can make you feel off balance, Matt says. Place your feet fully on the steps. Following these tips will make the stairs a much less daunting experience. 12 versusarthritis.org PP12_Inspire_Summer 2023_How to climb stairs.indd 12 17/05/2023 12:06