Using Your Crutches Safely

Crutches help support you while your injury heals by reducing the amount of weight placed on your affected leg. Using them correctly can improve your balance, make walking easier and help prevent further injury.

Standing Up

To stand safely:

• Place your crutches in the ‘H’ position beside you.
• Hold both crutches together with one hand.
• Push up from the chair using your free hand.
• Once standing, place your arms through the crutch cuffs and hold the handles.
• Position each crutch slightly in front and to the side of your feet for stability.

Sitting Down

When sitting:

• Remove your arms from the crutch cuffs.
• Place the crutches into the ‘H’ position and hold them with one hand.
• Reach back for the chair with your free hand.
• Lower yourself slowly and in a controlled manner.

Walking with Crutches

Non-Weight Bearing

If you have been told not to put weight on your injured leg:

• Keep your injured leg off the ground.
• Move both crutches forward together.
• Swing your good leg forwards so it lands level with the crutches.

Partial Weight Bearing

If you have been advised to put some weight through your injured leg:

• Move both crutches forward together.
• Place your injured leg just before the crutches.
• Step through with your unaffected leg.

Always follow the weight-bearing instructions given by your healthcare professional.

Using Stairs

Where possible, use a handrail and hold both crutches in your other hand.

Going Up

Remember:

1. Good leg
2. Injured leg
3. Crutches

Going Down

Remember:

1. Crutches
2. Injured leg
3. Good leg

Take your time and only use stairs if you feel safe and confident doing so.

Returning Your Crutches

When you no longer need your crutches, please return them to your local Minor Injury Unit so they can be used by someone else.

Before driving again, check with your insurance provider to ensure you are covered and only drive when you can safely control your vehicle.

Further Information

This webpage provides a summary of the patient information leaflet. For more detailed guidance on standing, sitting, walking and using stairs with crutches, please download the full leaflet or speak to a healthcare professional.