Using Crutches

These instructions will help you get around while on crutches. Make sure the crutches you use are adjusted to fit you.

The Crutches Fit If:

• You can put 2 to 3 fingers between the top of the crutch and your armpit.

• Your arms are slightly bent at the elbows when your hands are on the handgrips.

• Your wrists are even with the handgrips when your arms hang at your sides.

Walking with Crutches

• Start in a balanced standing (tripod) position.

• Place the crutches forward 12" in front of and 6" to the side of your feet.

• Lean your weight forward as you push down on the handgrips.

• Your weight should be on your hands and your strong leg, not your armpits.

• Let your body swing through, landing on the strong leg.

• Advance the crutches forward again.

• The crutch and the injured leg should move together.

Sitting Down

1. Back up until you feel the chair with the back of your leg. Hold both crutches in the hand on the affected side.

2. Grab the armrest or the side of the chair with your free hand.

3. Lower yourself onto the front of the chair, then slide back.

4. To get up, reverse the 3 steps.

Getting Into Cars

1. Follow the first step above for sitting in a chair. Use the doorjamb or the dashboard for support as you lower yourself. Watch your head. Don’t hold on to the car door, or it may close on you.

2. With your hands, lift your affected leg into the car. Or use your unaffected leg to hook your affected leg behind the ankle and lift it in. 

Through Doors

• To push a door open, stand sideways and push the door open with your body.

• To pull a door open, stand to the side. Get your balance and pull the door fully open with your hand. Plant the tip of the nearest crutch inside the door to act as a doorstop. Leave the crutch in place until you’ve walked through.

Going Up Steps: ("Up with the good")

• With both crutches on the same step as your feet, push down on the handgrips.

• Balancing with very light pressure on the weak leg, let your hands support your weight as you raise your strong leg onto the next higher step.

• Transfer all your weight to your strong leg (still bent) as you move the crutches up to the next step alongside the strong leg.

• With your weight evenly balanced on the two crutches and your strong leg, straighten your strong knee as you raise the weak leg up to the next step.

Going Down Steps: ("Down with the bad")

• With both crutches on the same step as your feet, push down on the handgrips.

• With your weight evenly balanced on the two crutches and your strong leg, bend your strong knee as you lower the weak leg down to the next step.

• Let your strong leg support you (still bent) as you move the crutches down alongside the weak leg.

• Transfer your weight to your hands, balancing with very light pressure on the weak leg as you lower your strong leg alongside your weak leg.