Crutch Walking

• Adjust the crutches for your height The top of the crutch should be 1-2 inches below your armpit.

• Be sure that the pads and grips are in place.

• Clean the tips of the crutches to make sure that they are free of dirt and stones.

• Remove throw rugs in your home to avoid falls.

• Make sure the pressure or weight goes on your hands and not on your armpits.

• Keep your elbows close to your sides.

• Place your crutch tips 2-3 inches or 5-8 cm out to the side of your feet and 3-6 inches or 8-15 cm in front of your toes.

• Have a slight bend in your elbow when holding onto the crutches.

• Do not walk too fast.

• Keep your head up and look ahead. Do not look at your feet Vihen walking. Check your balance often.

• You must pick up your crutches and injured leg more when you walk on carpet than when you walk on tile or smooth floors.

1. Hold both crutches on your injured side.

2. Slide to the edge of the chair.

3. Lean forward and push down on the arm of the chair on your good side to stand up.

4. Check your balance. Follow instructions about how much weight to put on your injured leg.

5. Put the crutches under your arms.

1. Back up to the chair until you feel the chair on the back of your legs.

2. Put both crutches in your hand on the injured side.

3. Reach back for the chair with your other hand.

4. Lower yourself slowly into the chair, bending at the hips.

1. Put crutches under your arms and press them into your side.

2. Move the crutches ahead of you 6 to 12 inches.

3. Push down on the handgrips as you step up to the c1utches with your injured leg first.

• Do not try to climb stairs or curbs until you can use the crutches well.

• For safety reasons, you can sit down and scoot up and down the steps on your
bottom if needed.

• If you have a raiJ, put both crutches under one arm and hold onto the rail for safety.

• Have someone stand behind you to help you as needed.

• Keep the crutches on the stair you are standing.

• Support your weight between your crutches.

• Bring your good leg up to the next step. Let the injured leg trail behind.

• Straighten your good leg and bring the crutches and your injured leg up.

• Put the crutches on the lower step while putting your injured foot forward.

• Support your weight between your crutches.

• Move your good foot to the lower step.

• Have someone open the door and move the seat back as far as they can.

• Back up until you feel the edge of the seat. Grab the seat with one hand and the handgrips of the cruthes.

• Tip you head to avoid bumping it. Stand up or sit down using your good leg to bear your weight.

• To sit down, put the heel of your good leg on the car frame and push back. Move across the seat until
your injured leg-can be swung into the car.