Using crutches
Date issued: January 2022
Review date: January 2024
Ref: A-491
PDF: Using crutches final January 2022.pdf [pdf] 499KB
Using crutches
Walking with crutches
There are two different ways of walking with crutches. These depend on where your break is.
Non-weight bearing
This means your injured leg cannot touch the ground when you walk.
You need to keep your injured leg slightly bent at the knee. Place your crutches one step forward in front of you. Step forward on your good leg; keeping your injured leg off the ground.
Partial (some) weight bearing:
Your injured leg can take some weight on it. Place the crutches one step forward. Move your injured leg the same time as the crutches. Step through with your good leg.
Your injury is:
Sitting and standing
How do I sit?
· Stand in front of the chair ready to sit down.
· Take your arms out of the crutches and hold them in one hand.
· Hold the chair with your free hand.
· Sit down gently.
How do I stand?
· Hold both crutches in one hand.
· Push up from the chair with your free hand.
· Once standing hold a crutch in each hand.
· Put the crutches in front of you and get your balance.
Going up and down stairs
Try to find a way of moving up and down the stairs that makes you feel safe and secure.
If you live with other people ask them to take your crutches up and down for you.
This leaves your hands free to hold onto the bannister and pull yourself up one step at a time. If your leg cannot weight bear you must still keep it off the ground.
If you are worried about walking downstairs we would suggest going down each step slowly on your bottom.
Do not try to move too quickly as this will make you unsafe. If you cannot manage crutches we will ask the therapy teams to look at other ways to help you.