Help!

If you have banisters hold on to them going up and downstairs if you don’t have any I d consider having some put in
There are lots of ‘young peoples) shopping trollers now they also may give confidence when out and about shopping
Probably over thinking it and making you more scared than you need be

You could try wearing a stretchy cover on your knee, which would give you a bit of support and confidence, as well as keeping the knee warm. Perhaps your muscles haven't been used as much since CoVid restrictions stopped you doing as much. Exercises might help your strength and balance, and give you more control. Holding onto the banister is a good idea too, plus not attempting to rush on the stairs.

Thank you Elegran & BlueBelle - I really appreciate your advice & I will take it on board

I have painful osteo arthritis in both knees and am super careful when I go out, but have found that if I walk regularly the joints loosen. The only reason I do falter occasionally is when the joint stiffens up.

Get a referral for a physio or see one privately.
Look online for exercises to strengthen your knee

I’m constantly tripping over and my knee has given way a few times when I’ve been on the stairs resulting in numerous injuries. It has made me lose confidence and I have avoided going out especially if I know that there will be stair climbing involved. Now, you my girl, need to get yourself off to Tai Chi or Pilates classes, but a class that concentrates on balance. Generally it’s older people doing them. I’m the youngest by at least 10 years in my classes but wobble more than quite a few of my class mates. I didn’t think they were helpful until on Monday when I tripped and actually managed to hold my balance! I would normally have gone over and ruined yet another pair of trousers and probably damaged my scarred knee. So they are working.
Start making enquiries now. Go onto your local FB page and ask if there are classes that can be recommended and get yourself down there. If you are able to walk to them, or just leave the car a little distance away, so much the better.
I want to hear that you have done something about this in the next week (said in my strict voice, which is very scary).

Thank you to the people offering encouragement & advice
A special thank you to nandad- I think that I needed that talking to! I’m slipping into ‘feeling sorry for myself mode’

An easy way to improve your balance is to balance on each leg for 30 seconds each day. I do this every morning during teeth cleaning and my balance has certainly improved. BBC Sounds and Michael Moseley explains on Just One Thing

So Newnan1, hope you have been proactive, what have you done this week to help yourself?