Looking for public very shallow stairs for knee replacement rehab. (Austin: theatre, mall)

[Don in Austin]

A month into a knee replacement, I would like to work on taking whole steps, not cheating "half steps" on stairs. Regular stairs have too high a riser to allow me to swing the good leg over the rehab leg at this time. Looking for only about 2-4" rise. Steps should be short in the horizontal plane also. Should have rail for security/safety. I know they are out there somewhere! Thanks, Don

[Gemini1963]

My first thought is the front entrance to the Texas Capitol, but I'm having trouble finding a photo that shows the steps well enough.

Even if it's correct, it may be too public a place for you, but there would at least be plenty of distractions to entertain you!

[Trainwreck20]

I think the Erwin center steps are slightly smaller than average, but maybe still too tall for what you are looking for. The south mall steps are also slightly smaller than typical.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by Gemini1963

My first thought is the front entrance to the Texas Capitol, but I'm having trouble finding a photo that shows the steps well enough.

Even if it's correct, it may be too public a place for you, but there would at least be plenty of distractions to entertain you!

Before the knee replacement when I wanted to exercise the bum leg I went to the capitol a lot. Nothing wrong with it being public. I enjoyed greeting tourists from all over the world. I walked the stairs indoors. Unfortunately, I need more like "baby steps" right now. When those are mastered the Capitol is next!



Don

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I think the Erwin center steps are slightly smaller than average, but maybe still too tall for what you are looking for. The south mall steps are also slightly smaller than typical.

Hmm... MAYBE. I will check it out.


Don

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

Hmm... MAYBE. I will check it out.


Don

Somewhere on campus there are steps that are built 'across' a hillside, more or less, so that the steps are normal height on one end, but decrease to almost nothing at the other - and the total length of the stairs get shorter as it goes up the hill, so there continue to be shorter steps on the one end as you go up.

But damned if I can recall where that was.

You might try driving (or I guess you may have to walk :/ ) around campus to check some of the steps out. There are hills and some architectural oddities that result in odd steps.

Edit: Eh, found some like that, but no rail due to the change in lateral length. I suspect that would be the case with all steps like this, and you would have to travel up/down the stairs at an angle, anyway, to keep the step small.

The steps at the back of the LBJ library are 'shallow', but further apart than you are probably looking for (and a wall instead of a rail, if that matters).

[Don in Austin]

Found it! The northmost theatre at Zach Scott. Steps the right length, approx. 4" risers. One set with more like 6" risers. Hand rails. Did about 110 steps fine but then it was REALLY hot and no shade. After a couple weeks or so of some practice here we go inside at the capitol with AC.



Don

[Gemini1963]

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

Found it! The northmost theatre at Zach Scott. Steps the right length, approx. 4" risers. One set with more like 6" risers. Hand rails. Did about 110 steps fine but then it was REALLY hot and no shade. After a couple weeks or so of some practice here we go inside at the capitol with AC.



Don

This is great! (I actually checked back to see if there was a solution yet.)

Good luck with your knee rehab!