GENERAL INFORMATION
- You have been given crutches so that you can rest your injured leg.
- You should wear a shoe with a non-slip sole on the uninjured foot to prevent slipping.
- The handle of the crutch should be level with your wrist crease
- The weight should be taken on the handgrips.
- Regularly check the ruber stoppers for adequate tread.
BATHING OR SHOWERING WITH PLASTER OR A COMPRESSION BANDAGE
- Keep the leg up on the side of the bath and protect the area with a plastic bag.
- When showering cover the area with a good quality plastic bag and tape the bag to the skin above the injured part.
- Apply cling wrap over the bag and sticky tape the join.
- A chair placed in the shower may be useful.
WHEN WALKING WITH CRUTCHES
- Place each crutch 4-6 inches to the front and side of each foot.
- Allow time to get your balance.
- Move both crutches forward, and then move your injured leg to the crutches (when familiar with this you can move the crutches
- and leg simultaneously).
- Next move the uninjured leg forward to the level of the crutch tips, you may swing past the level of the crutches when feeling more confident OR partial weight bearing.
- Repeat the above steps.
STAIRS
- Remember: ‘Good leg to heaven’ – ‘Bad leg (with crutches) to hell!’
GOING UP STAIRS
- Lift uninjured leg up first, then both crutches, then the injured leg.
WHEN GOING DOWN STAIRS
- Place crutches onto step below then injured leg, then uninjured leg.