How To Use Crutches Properly?

There are many aspects of crutches that you need to master before you can walk comfortably.

Adjusting the height, choosing the perfect crutch for you, and holding crutches properly for good body posture are necessary skills relevant to using crutches.

Learning how to use crutches properly depends on getting skilled at those skills.

How to Choose the Right Crutches?

  • It would be best to choose the most suitable crutch for you based on your height and comfort.
  • If there is good quality padding on top of the crutches and handles and at the bottom tip, it will provide ease and comfort.
  • Crutches need to be made from durable material.
  • The crutches need to have an excellent gripping ability.
  • The tip of the crutch shouldn’t slide too much while in contact with the ground surface.

See also: Best Crutches of 2022.

How to Adjust Crutches Height?

  • Adjustment of the crutch height is made while standing.
  • Keep your crutch about 10 cm from the side of your toes for a great fit.
  • At the top, leave a 2 to 3-finger gap between the crutch and your armpit.
  • Adjust your crutch height accordingly, keeping good body posture and comfortable feelings by keeping the previous measurements as such.

How to Hold Crutches Properly?

  • When your arm is straight down, the handle should be at the level of your wrist.
  • Your elbow will be slightly bent while clutching the crutch handle.
  • The angle provided by the crutches should be sufficient enough for free and comfortable walking without any contact between your hips and the crutches.
  • It is always better not to lean on the crutches and stand and walk straight.

How to Walk With Crutches?

  • Your physician will suggest to you how much weight you can bear on your wounded leg.
  • Depending on your condition, you might face three different scenarios.
  • For non-weight bearing, you can’t put any weight on your injured limb.
  • You must move your wounded legs with your body while moving to maintain balance.
  • Also, secure crutches by pressing the top of the crutch to your ribcage.
  • Move the bottom tips of the crutches forward as if you were taking a normal-sized step.

How to Sit Down With Crutches?

  • If you want to sit, you should first stand in front of the chair with your back leg touching the seat.
  • Then, using one hand, hold both crutches and grasp the handles.
  • With your other hand, grasp for the chair’s armrest.
  • While sitting down, bend your good leg slowly.
  • If no weight is permitted, elevate your wounded leg off the ground.

How to Stand Up With Crutches?

  • When you want to get out of your chair, first slide yourself to the front.
  • Then, take both crutches and hold them in one hand.
  • By using your free hand, push yourself off the armrest while standing on your uninjured leg.
  • After standing straight and regaining balance, you should set up the crutches properly under your arms, and then you walk correctly.

How to Go Up Stairs With Crutches?

How to use crutches on stairs with railing:

  • Starting from the bottom stair step, take the crutches in one hand and grab the railing firmly with the other.
  • Considering the non-weight bearing case, you must keep your injured leg elevated.
  • Putting weight through your hands, hop on the step with your uninjured leg.
  • Simultaneously, bring the crutch up to the same step and move your hand forward on the railing. Repeat the process.

How to go upstairs on crutches without railing:

  • Considering no railing is present, keep both the crutches under your arms.
  • Move forward with your uninjured leg and put all weight through your hands.
  • Bring the crutches to the same step as you and regain balance.

How to Go Down Stairs With Crutches?

How to use crutches on stairs with railing:

  • While moving down the stairs, start from the top step with both crutches in one hand. Grab the railing with another.
  • Then, set your crutch on the next step down while placing all of your weight through your hands and bending your good knee.
  • Step down the stairs using the uninjured leg.
  • Remember to regain your balance before repeating the motion, always leading with the crutch.

How to go downstairs on crutches without railing:

  • Considering no railing, take crutches under the arms.
  • Put the tip of crutches on the step below first.
  • Start walking with your good leg, keeping balance.

Conclusion:

It would be great to have a friend or family member nearby at this moment.

Along with some tips and a bit of regular practice, you can quickly learn the usage of the crutches with optimum safety.

Hopefully, here we ​already provided you with crucial knowledge about different aspects of using crutches.

Learning the techniques behind how to use crutches correctly in other circumstances will help anyone who is facing the situation.

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