Answer:
Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
Your physical therapist will show you quad sets that strengthen the muscle. Riding a bike also builds the leg muscles that are needed for stair climbing. The joint pain that made stair climbing difficult pre-op will be gone and as the knee heals from surgery, stair climbing will improve. No more elevators needed…climb away!