How to Fit and Use CrutchesWeight Bearing Restrictions Show Your doctor may have given you weight bearing restrictions on your leg which tells you how much weight you can put through your leg. Weight Bearing as Tolerated Partial Weight Bearing Toe Touch Weight Bearing Non Weight Bearing No matter what your weight-bearing restrictions are, make sure that you never lean on the tops of your crutches. You can hurt a nerve causing numbness and tingling in your arm. Put all of your weight through your hands, not your armpits. How to fit your crutches:
Standing Up Sitting Down Walking
Going Up Stairs
Going Down Stairs
If you do not feel steady on crutches, a walker is another option. The walker does offer more stability. If you need to go up one step with a walker you should do this backwards. Going down one step you should go forwards, leading with your walker and your injured leg. 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. Learn more: Find an orthopaedic specialist Cast and splint care Waterproof cast care Should a cane be used on the injured side?For an injury, you will hold the cane on your good side. That is right, NOT on the same side as the injured leg. For use as a balance aid for general mobility, using the cane on your dominant side is recommended.
When using a cane for ambulation which leg is the cane positioned?When using a cane, you should hold it in the hand opposite of the leg that needs support. 1 This is far more efficient and helpful than holding it on your weak or injured side. Also, as you walk, you will move the cane at the same time as your weaker leg.
How should a patient use a cane ambulation?How to walk with a cane. Place the cane in the hand opposite to your weakest leg.. Stand with your weight evenly distributed on each leg, using the cane for balance.. Move the cane forward.. Place most of your weight on your good leg.. Move your sore leg forward even with the cane.. Where should a cane be positioned for use?With your arm hanging straight down at your side, the top of your cane should line up with the crease in your wrist.
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