Should i use crutches

More than one step is not safe with a walker. Be sure to sit for a few minutes before standing while sitting. Review the process for the safe use of crutches. Once you are standing, be sure that you are stable before you start moving. If at any time you do not feel stable, you should stop and sit down on a safe surface.

In conclusion, be sure to check with your healthcare team to determine whether or not crutches are the safest choice for your situation. Be sure that your environment is also safe for the use of crutches. This means that your environment should be free of clutter. There should be no throw rugs or loose edges on carpeting and absolutely do not use crutches on wet surfaces. If you have any questions or you have any difficulty using crutches, please discuss these with your health care team.

Use a small backpack, fanny pack, or shoulder bag to hold items that you need with you such as your phone. This will keep your hands free while you are walking. Edelstein J. Canes, crutches, and walkers. Atlas of Orthoses and Assistive Devices. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Total hip replacement rehabilitation: progression and restrictions.

Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. Updated by: Linda J. Editorial team. Using crutches. While you are moving around with crutches: Let your hands carry your weight, not your armpits.

Look forward when you are walking, not down at your feet. Use a chair with armrests to make sitting and standing easier. Make sure your crutches have been adjusted to your height. The handles should be at hip level. Your elbows should be slightly bent when you hold the handles. Keep the tips of your crutches about 3 inches 7. Rest your crutches upside down when you are not using them so that they do not fall down.

To stand up from a seated position:. There are some things that you should also keep in mind. For instance, your crutches take up more room on the sides and can easily get caught on things, so keep a wide area around you. In addition, consider these tips on crutch form to prevent other injuries from occurring:. When going up and down stairs, go one step at a time, and rest at each step. You have a couple of options for using crutches on the stairs.

You can:. If there's a handrail, you can use this alternative method:. How you go down the stairs on crutches depends on whether you can or can't bear some weight on your injured leg. If you're not putting weight on it:.

If your healthcare provider says you can briefly bear weight on the injured leg:. It's important that you don't let your armpits rest on the crutches, even when you're resting. Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. How to use crutches, canes, and walkers.

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