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Crutch Walking Techniques Guide

The document provides detailed instructions for crutch walking, including techniques for touch-down weight bearing, partial-weight bearing, and full-weight bearing. It also outlines how to navigate stairs using one or two crutches, emphasizing the importance of the uninjured leg leading during ascent and descent. The guidance is intended for patients recovering from leg injuries to ensure safe mobility.

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P. Shivaprasad
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115 views2 pages

Crutch Walking Techniques Guide

The document provides detailed instructions for crutch walking, including techniques for touch-down weight bearing, partial-weight bearing, and full-weight bearing. It also outlines how to navigate stairs using one or two crutches, emphasizing the importance of the uninjured leg leading during ascent and descent. The guidance is intended for patients recovering from leg injuries to ensure safe mobility.

Uploaded by

P. Shivaprasad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Crutch Walking

Walking (Touch-down weight bearing):


• Put the crutches forward about one step's length.
• Put the injured leg forward; level with the crutch tips.
• Touch the front of the foot of the involved limb to the floor. Do not bear weight
into the foot, but bear the weight of the body on your crutches.
• Take a step through with the uninjured leg

Walking (partial-weight bearing):


• Put the crutches forward about one step's length.
• Put the injured leg forward; level with the crutch tips.
• Bear some of the weight on the injured leg according to your instructions, and
bear the remainder of your weight on crutches.
• Take a step through with the uninjured leg

Walking (full-weight bearing and weight-bearing as tolerated):


• Follow the same sequence as partial-weight bearing, except you can bear the
weight of the body through the injured leg, assisting with the crutches as needed.

Walking with one crutch


• Put the injured leg forward with the crutch held on the uninjured side (opposite)
• Bear weight on the injured leg and assisted with the crutch as needed.
• Step through with the uninjured leg.

Stairs:
• Use one crutch and the stair rail if present (only if the railing is stable and there is
someone to carry the other crutch).
• Use two crutches if there is no stair rail.
• It does not matter which side the stair rail is on.
• If both crutches can be held in one hand safely, you can use both crutches on one
side and the railing on the other.

Up stairs:
• Hold onto the rail with one hand and the crutch with the other hand (or both
crutches if no rail).
• Push down on the stair rail and the crutch(es) and step up with the uninjured leg
• Bring the injured leg and the crutches up beside the uninjured leg.
• Remember, the uninjured leg goes up first and the crutches move with the injured
leg.
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Orthopedics Department
736 Cambridge Street Brighton, MA 02135
www.semc.org/ortho

Down stairs:
• Walk to the edge of the stairs.
• Place the injured leg and the crutches down on the step below; support weight by
leaning on the crutch(es) and the stair rail.
• Bring the uninjured leg down.
• With your weight supported by the crutches and injured leg, step down with the
uninjured leg.
• Remember the injured leg goes down first and the crutches move with the injured
leg.

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