No weight bearing crutch walking (1526)

Key points below

How to use your crutches

Fitting crutches
The top of the crutch should be 3 fingers width below the armpit.
– Carry your weight on your hands. Your armpits should not rest on top of the crutches.

standing from sitting with crutches

Standing from a sit: Put the crutches on your good side.
1. Put one hand on the handgrip of the crutches.
Put your other hand on the seat or arm of the chair.
2. Push up to stand using your good leg and your arms. Do not put weight on your healing leg.
3. Get your balance and place the crutches below each arm so that you carry your weight on your hands. Keep your healing leg off the floor. You are ready to walk.

Walking with crutches Non-weight bearing. Do not put any weight on the healing leg.

1. Move both crutches forward at the same time.
2. Push down on the crutches and then hop forward on your good leg. Keep your healing leg off the floor as you hop forward.
3. Repeat steps 1, 2, & 3.

Going up and down stairs using crutches

Always take one step at a time. If the stairs have a railing, you may hold onto the rail with one hand and use the crutch with your opposite arm.

Going up stairs:
1. Step up with the good foot.
2. Bring the crutches up. Hop up to the next step.
3. Bring your healing leg up to clear the step; do not step on your healing leg.

stair walking

Going down stairs:
1. Place the crutches on the next step down.
2. Bring the healing foot forward over the step, but do not step down.
3. Keep the crutches tucked in your armpits. Step/Hop down with the good foot.

downstairs with crutches

Photos courtesy of VHI

Going up and down stairs without using crutches

Use this method when the stairs are unsafe or if you are afraid to use your crutches.

To go upstairs: Sit on the stairs and bend your good leg. Put your hands on the next step higher. Push with your hands and good leg to lift your bottom up to the next step.
To go downstairs: Sit on the stairs. Put your good foot on the next step down. Keep your hands on the same step as your bottom. Push with your hands and good leg and slide your bottom down to the next step.

Safety Tips

Watch out for slippery floors, water puddles, ice, snow and other slippery places.
Throw rugs are unsafe. They easily catch on the tips of your crutches.
Be careful when walking on gravel and grass.
Wear a good tie shoe with a flat sole or tennis shoes when using crutches.
Check the rubber tip of the crutches for cracks or excessive wear. A new one can normally be bought at a drug store, discount store, or medical supply company.

Videos

Visit link below. Find your weight bearing status.
- https://childrenswi.org/medical-care/orthopedics/tests-and-treatments/crutch-walking

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.