A crutch is a walking aid designed to keep pressure off your leg or foot after an injury or surgical procedure.  The following information has been provided to help you learn to use this walking aid safely and effectively. 

How Do I Use My Crutches?

When using your crutches, it is important to support your weight with your arms and hands.  Do not support your weight with your underarms.  This could hurt the nerves in your underarms.  Also, make sure your elbow is bent when the crutch is under your arm.  When the crutch is properly positioned under your arm, you should be able to fit two fingers between the top of the crutch and your armpit.

When using your crutches, it is important to be aware of your walking surface and surroundings to prevent falling.  Only use your crutches on firm ground.  When using crutches, be careful of slippery surfaces such as wax and cement floors, as well as surfaces covered by ice, snow, water, or small rugs.  Also, try to stay away from crowds, pets, and stray electrical cords, which may interfere with the use of your crutches and cause you to fall.

If possible, have someone with you while walking the first few days until you feel steady on your crutches, especially on stairs and uneven surfaces.

How Do I Walk with My Crutches?

In order to walk with your crutches, place both crutches in front of you at the same time.  When properly placed, your crutches should be about 8 to 12 inches in front of you and 8 to 12 inches to your side.

Now—being careful not to put pressure on your underarms—lean on your hands.

Remember to keep your elbows bent as you use the crutches.  Keep your injured foot or leg off the floor by bending your knee.

Take a step with your crutches.  Swing the foot that is not hurt between the crutches, placing that heel down first.

If you are using your crutches for balance, move your right foot and left crutch forward.  Then, move your left foot and right crutch forward.  Keep walking this way.

How Do I Go Up Stairs with Crutches? 

Walk up close to the stairs (facing forward) and place your uninjured leg up one step.  Next, lean your weight on the hand grips of the crutches and straighten your uninjured leg, bringing your injured leg and crutches up on the step.

How Do I Go Down Stairs with Crutches? 

Facing the stairs, come to the edge of the steps and place your crutches on the lower step.  Lower your injured leg down to the step with the crutches.  Then, leaning your weight on the hand grips of your crutches, lower your uninjured leg down to the step.

How Do I Sit in a Chair Using Crutches? 

To sit down, turn and back up to the chair until you feel the edge of it against the back of your legs.  Keep your injured leg forward.  Take your crutches out from under your arms.  Sit while bending your uninjured knee.

How Do I Get Up From a Chair Using Crutches? 

To get up from a chair, sit on the edge of the chair and put your uninjured foot close to the chair.  Push up with your hands using the crutches or arms of the chair.  Place your weight on your uninjured foot as you get up.  Keep your injured leg bent at the knee and off the floor.

How Do I Make Sure My Crutches are Safe to Use? 

Before using your crutches, make sure that the rubber tips used for traction are not split or loose.  Also, make sure that both crutches match each other.  One crutch should not be longer than the other.  If adjusting your own crutches, make sure that the spring clip on the side of each crutch is working correctly.

Contact Your Doctor If…

Contact your doctor if you have questions about how to use your crutches, your skin becomes irritated, or your crutches don’t fit.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any numbness in your hands or arms.  For medical emergencies, call 911 or your local hospital.