Walk like a penguin

Put me in the penguin queue please, I find I walk unnaturally during the winter months, I do have those things with spikes on to put over shoes, as our winter with snow and ice lasts for months here in Sweden, I do my penguin walk for months and have to get used to walking normally again in March, take care all Happy Feet out there!

My sympathies. I think that once you've fallen you lose your confidence. Who cares about our funny walks as long as we stay upright?

I walk best with trekking poles, though they aren't very handy when shopping. With an ordinary stick, however carefully measured re height, I feel I'm walking badly and must look like the witch in Hansel and Gretel. Also identify with posters who mention fear of falling forward on stairs. Much worse in recent years.

I'm terrified of ice, after falling down my icy front steps on Christmas night 8 years ago and fracturing two vertebrae. It took 6 months to diagnose and is still painful to this day. I can assure you that drink played no part in it. Well actually it did, I suddenly remembered the garage was unlocked and I was worried someone might steal my Prosecco stash. I become a hermit when it's icy, as I'm now a scaredy cat on ice. My husband says I walk with "Hobbit Steps"

When we have snow and ice my husband offers me the walking poles used by hikers which have a spike on the end.

On the whole I try to park where the sunshine has melted the snow and is close to where I need to be.

I wear boots. Its raining now so should be fine.

Hi Emilie yes my TKR is now a success. However, I'd say don't let yourself be pressurised into physio. I didn't know any better and did exercises as instructed however, this led to inflammation and then to adhesions. I had to have a manipulation under anaesthetic. This did work but was worrying at the time. It was explained to me that you wouldn't exercise a broken leg! The most up to date research indicates that the knee must heal from the traumatic surgery before thinking of exercising. After that walking is the best way to return to useful functioning! Next time (and there will be a next time as my other knee is in a bad way) I'll know to leave it to heal for a month but icing and elevating ++ as well as walking about the house. After that I may go to physio for help with gait and stairs - practical stuff.
FYI the research shows that outcomes after TKR are exactly the same at one year whether or not people have physio! I know this is counterintuitive but it's factual. You will find a lot of support and useful info from the Bonesmart website. Good luck.

I have a pair of cramponny things but I feel awful walking in them when you move off the ice onto cleared paths or roads it’s like walking on football studs so I m just as penguinny with them although they feel better on the actual snow
I m just glad I m not alone in my new fear I m pretty supple, cycling and walking around with no aids but I ve just become a scaredy cat I like the idea of socks over shoes might have to try that if we get any more snow or icy conditions

Another Yaktrax fan here. They are fine on dry surfaces too and don't do any damage if worn into a shop, as they are not spikes but sort of sideways spring shapes.

We too use the crampon type grips that fit on the bottom of your shoe. They grip the ice and don't let your foot slip- really good.
Emilie, I had a knee replacement last March and it is absolutely fine. You need to put in the work with the exercises given you post op to get a good result. I was advised by the physio and my consultant to take up cycling pre -op too.

I have a friend who lives in Switzerland and she swears by putting a pair of wool socks over her shoes or boots to stop her slipping in all the snow they get over there. Have never tried it so don't know if it works but anything is worth a try!

Jane 10,may I ask if your knee replacement was a success?Iam having one in the next few weeks.

You don't have to slip on snow or ice to get a broken ankle!!

I walk less like a penguin more like Mrs Mrs Overall from Acorn Antiques since I broke mine.
Or this elderly waitress:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6aYLOf8CUQ

Having broken 3 bones in the last ten years I avoid the snow if possible. I have snow boots and treat myself to a taxi. I also go to Tai chi where we are taught to walk properly with good balance. Waiting for a bone to mend takes an awful long time.

Yaktrax are great - very grippy
www.yaktrax.co.uk/

I was too frightened to venture to the wheelie bin,

Oh yes I walk like a penguin so afraid of falling. My hubby says I make it worse doing that. Just launched myself into my car most ungainly but big patch of slippery ice right next to my drivers door. Worried all round supermarket about it. Car next to me went which made my launch easier. Just hard to park today so had to take the one nobody wanted.

Kim please be careful and do not apply too much weight to your walking stick because it can go AWOL on a normal pavement never mind a snowy or icy one. I am very cautious when using mine.

Yes, I'm have become very nervous in case I break bones which I can't afford to do with Osteoporisis! Having said that I was coming out of the Co-Op the other day with a bottle of prosecco, I was more worried about breaking that and not my bones!! I shall remain positive and carry on regardless!

I used to walk quickly,but having tripped over an uneven pavement & badly hurting my knees & chest, I am now walking more slowly & carefully.
My 10 000 steps will take all day. Thanks you for the hints, really helpful.

I think you're quite right to be extra concerned about falling as you get older. Firstly our balance deteriorates and secondly a broken bone becomes more likely and causes more long-term harm. I don't care what people think about my funny walk, I care more about keeping my mobility and not being laid up with a broken hip for months.

I too fell last winter and have become more cautious, using a stick or an umbrella long and strong enough to act as a stick is helpful in icy conditions.

So is this trick. Pull a pair of old worn socks over your shoes or round your boots and tie them there. The cloth helps to prevent slipping on patches of ice. Any old cloths torn into strips will do. I find this trick works better than crampons.

Traditional clothing in Greenland is still made with sealskin soles to the boots and obviously the Inuit know a thing or two about walking on ice!

I fell off my bike the other week. Trying to mount it, I couldn't get up enough speed and went a purler!

A lovely girl helped me up, and when I got round the corner, successfully managed to get on.

My bones aren't as flexible these days, and going to have to take more care.

I have a fear of stairs after falling down ours about five years ago. At the time I was carrying two big bags for the charity shop. My shoe came off, that's why I fell. I find that even when carrying nothing, and wearing sturdy shoes I have to hold on to the banister. My husband saunters down stairs with his hands in his pockets. Show off!

The penguin walk is actually a good idea. Walk leaning slightly forwards so your weight is over the leading foot. If you walk upright feet will shoot forwards and upwards.

That brother deserves a swift kick, Cool! Mine are older than me, so wouldn't dare . I lost my balance at M&S in the snow and sat down elegantly on a great heap of snow. shopped with a wet bum!