Using crutches can be a great aid for those with disabilities or conditions that affect their mobility or those recovering from an injury. It’s important to know how to properly and safely use crutches to reduce strain, pain, and the risk of further injury.
What are crutches?
Crutches are a type of walking aid typically used by people who can’t use their legs to support their weight when walking. They help keep people mobile and moving. Crutches usually come in pairs and are used to transfer body weight from the legs and feet to the arms and torso.
There are different types of crutches which suit different needs and mobility requirements.
Types of crutches
Crutches are designed to help with a wide range of mobility needs and provide different kinds of support. The most common crutches are elbow crutches, height-adjustable crutches, and underarm crutches, but there are also specialist kinds, like arthritis crutches.
The difference between crutches and walking sticks
A walking stick is helpful for someone who might be unsteady on their feet and needs extra support, whereas crutches come in pairs and provide much more stable and strong support. They’re fully weight-bearing, so if someone is struggling with the full range of mobility in one leg, they can use their "good" leg to move forward while supporting their so-called "bad" leg.
How to use crutches
Before you start using your crutches, it’s important to make sure they’ve been fitted by a physiotherapist and that you’ve been instructed on how to use them. This ensures that your walking aid is tailored to you and can safely provide the support you need.
If you haven’t used crutches before, learning how to walk with crutches can seem difficult to start with, and definitely takes some getting used to. The starting position is the same, regardless of whether or not you can put weight on the injured leg.
- Hold a crutch in each hand, and place the foot of each crutch on the ground–make sure they’re stable.
- The crutches should be shoulder-width apart, not pointing inwards or crossing over.
- If you can’t bear weight on the affected leg, move the crutches forward and plant them securely on the floor.
- Take a step forward with your healthy leg, making sure the injured one doesn’t touch the floor.
- You should be aiming to plant your weight-bearing foot level with the crutches.
- Repeat steps three to five until the walk is complete.
If you can put full or partial weight on your injured leg, then the process is slightly different.
- Complete steps one and two above.
- Take a step with the injured leg, putting most of your weight on your arms and crutches.
- Take a step with your healthy leg.
- Repeat until the walk is complete.
How to use crutches on stairs
Navigating stairs with crutches can seem daunting at first, but it requires careful technique to make sure you stay safe. Whether you’re going up or downstairs, keep your crutches level and steady, and make use of the handrails if there are any.
Going up the stairs
- Place your crutches on the step, ensuring they’re secure enough to put your weight on.
- If you can weight-bear on your injured leg, walk up the stairs as normal, making sure to balance your weight on your healthy foot and crutches.
- If you can’t, step up with your healthy leg, making sure the injured one doesn’t touch the floor.
- Repeat steps one and three.
Going down the stairs
- Place your crutches on the step, ensuring they’re secure enough to put your weight on.
- If you can weight-bear on your injured leg, step down, making sure to balance most of your weight on your arms and crutches.
- Follow with the healthy leg.
- If you can’t weight-bear, step down with your healthy leg, making sure the injured one doesn’t touch the floor.
- Repeat steps one and four.
Safety tips
- Regularly keep up with your crutches’ maintenance to make sure they’re always safe to use.
- If you have adjustable crutches, make sure they’re at the correct height to maximise your comfort and safety.
- Avoid resting your weight on your armpits if using underarm crutches, and grab the handgrips firmly.
- Ensure you wear proper footwear with good grip and flat soles, especially outdoors.
- Consider adding and routinely changing non-slip ferrules to your crutches for added grip and safety on various terrains.
- Take extra care on wet and slippery surfaces.
- Go slowly and take small steps.
Find the perfect pair of crutches for you at Complete Care Shop
At Complete Care Shop, we have a wide range of crutches which offer support and stability whenever it’s needed. Crutches help increase confidence and independence while navigating around the home and other settings. We have a range of affordable options to suit any requirement.
If you need any help, please feel free to contact us where one of our customer service team will be able to advise you.