Falling over, can’t get up.

MayBee70

I’ve realised that I trip a lot because I don’t raise my feet as high as I used to when I walk. I didn’t realise that you can’t kneel after a knee replacement.

I thought that too re lifting feet more but when I tried I manage to trip and fall. A kind man saw it happen and pulled me up but I felt very silly. I’ll stick to my usual way I think. 🥴

I have a bath seat to assist myself in getting into and out of the bath. Amazon has a selection. Sit on seat and slide legs one at a time into bath. Get out the same in reverse. I stad up to shower but could also remain seated if needed. I would not be able to get up if I sat on the bottom of the bath so I just make do with showers. Baths take too long.

In the medium to long term it’s probably good to try to strengthen our legs with specific exercises designed to build stronger thigh and calf muscles.

I do spend time on the floor indoors playing with our toddler grandchildren and although I prefer to steady myself with a chair or the coffee table, I can still get up from the middle of the room unaided.

I expect there are exercises online to follow.

I've got two knee replacements and can't get up if I fall over, which I did last January in the front garden. I screamed for help until a nice man appeared and helped me. I now make sure my phone is with me at all times outside.
Its easier indoors. I fell over in my bedroom once and shuffled on my bottom into the living room where I was able to scramble onto my low sofa eventually.
Fear of more falls is ever with me now.
There's no easy answer.

I asked my surgeon about kneeling maybee. His response was in his view there is no reason not to joint-wise, ‘his’ replacement joint wouldn’t be harmed. I smiled at the ‘his’. He went on to explain the main reason people don’t kneel is pain from the scar, there’s no padding underneath it. I’ve one TKR and two years on kneel comfortably on a pad in the garden. I used a cushion as padding indoors when I painted all the skirting boards, quite comfortable. I can get up reasonably quickly as long as it’s a good balance day. If not I need something to steady me. The practicalities of life can be a challenge as we mature .

You'd think shoes with good grippy soles would help.

However, good grippy trainers can make you fall on hard floors if you don't pick your feet up properly because they can grip the floor and you go the other way.

I’ve realised that I trip a lot because I don’t raise my feet as high as I used to when I walk. I didn’t realise that you can’t kneel after a knee replacement.

If I fall there`s no way on earth that I could get back up on my own. It usually takes 2 ambulance men and an inflatable seat!

I tripped and fell on the car park of the B&B. It was dark and I didn't see the bump in the ground. DH tried to haul me up from a sitting position. That didn't work because my knees are both painful. (Not eligible for replacement yet). I managed to get onto my hands and knees and DH assisted me to stand. If I'd been by myself I would have had to crawl to the gatepost and use it to help me up.
I have no tips, I'll have to have a good think about it.

silverlining48

Better still are two sticks/ poles. You can make them shorter which might help with leverage.

Yes, Nordic walking poles.

But getting up is not so easy now, and, if you've hurt yourself, impossible.

Go on to hands and knees (unless you've had knee replacements) and it could be easier to get up. Or shuffle-bottom to a gate or fence.

Always carry a charged mobile phone with you.

Occupational Therapy provided a bath seat for my husband after he fell in the bath ( one that would lower and raise you) I found it a godsend because I haven't the strength in my arms to pull myself up) When he died it had to be returned so I bought one for myself. My son pops it into the bath for me when I fancy a bath.

I roll onto my knees and find it ok that way with the bath. I am fortunate to have knees that are strong though.

I also have had bil. TKRs so cannot kneel not even for a couple of minutes when I fall over. The last time it took me about 30 minutes to crawl to the staircase because I did not have the leverage to get up using a sofa or chair.

I just walk very carefully and slowly indoors.

I also can’t get up without a piece of furniture to pull myself up with and that is a struggle.
Also like a previous poster a knee replacement has made it impossible to kneel on the joint.
If I fell outside I would have to wait for someone to help which is why I always have my mobile with me.
That or a very loud voice.
We aren’t much help to you really.

My first knee replacement made me aware to my vulnerabilities. I learned to carry a stick if I wasn't with my husband. With my second knee I knew I couldn't get up from kneeling, still use a stick in tricky situations.

Since total knee replacement five years Ago can’t bear weight on knee, therefore terrified at idea of falling. Anyone any advice if hands and knees position impossible?

watermeadow so sorry. I tripped on my clothes airer and fell, hitting my face and head - nose bled for a couple of minutes. My face was black and blue. Reason? I was rushing….managed to get up by holding on to the edge of the sink. Four weeks after that, I developed hearing loss in one ear and earache. My hearing has returned, but I still have occasional ear and head ache. Saw GP, but was told it was an ear infection. I’m not convinced. The moral of the story is to be aware of your age and physical limitations. Take things slowly. If you’re out and about, keep your phone with you. Take walks on public roads/streets. Stay safe and fall-free everyonexx

It's frightening to find you can't get up so glad you managed watermeadow. The last time I fell
I cut my hands and knees as I was on a rough, uneven road. I got onto my hands and knees then felt two strong arms lift me up. A man had seen me fall and come out to help. He also drove me to a &e as I was bleeding quite a bit.
I was lucky but I think I would have got up from the hands and knees position eventually.
It's also a good idea to wear strong supportive boots if you go out walking in fields.

Hope you’re ok?
If you were once pregnant, remember struggling with that big bump once lying down? If you can’t get up now, maybe ‘cos you’ve fallen, always turn onto your side and then onto your front/knees - you’ll never get up otherwise. At home, if you’re doing jobs which involve peering under furniture, working at floor or low level, using the seat of an armchair as an aid works, but in the absence of a chair in every room…..have one of those super garden ‘kneelers’ (with good handles) with you, that you can use for sitting or kneeling. No problem pulling yourself up like that.

Better still are two sticks/ poles. You can make them shorter which might help with leverage.

Oh dear, falling is a habit of mine. Getting up alone is very awkward so would second the carrying of a stout stick.
Hope you didn’t hurt yourself watermeadow.

Poor you. I guess always carry a phone with you and don’t walk on uneven ground.

I am finding it difficult getting out of bed recently. My back went into spasm about 18 months ago and since then I am very careful how I move so it doesn’t happen again.

Will be interesting to see what others suggest.

I suppose the obvious suggestion is not to be in situations where you might fall and be unable to get up without help eg in an open field. We replaced our bath with a walk in shower when I could no longer get in and out of the bath easily. A robust stick can be helpful if out and about. Good luck.

Sorry, I only remember getting on to hands and knees, but I think that was more how to help someone up. I too would be interested in any tips.