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It is important to start walking as soon as you can after your surgery. But you will need support for walking while your leg is healing.
Use crutches after a leg injury or surgery if you need only a little help with balance and stability, or if your leg is only a little weak or painful. If you are having a lot of pain, weakness, or problems with balance, ask your health care provider if a walker would be better for you than crutches.
Crutch BasicsLet 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 top should be 1 to 1 1/2 inches below your armpit.
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 away from your feet so that you do not trip.
Rest your crutches upside down when you are not using them so that they do not fall down.
Walking and TurningWhen you walk using crutches, you will move your crutches forward instead of your weak leg. Follow these steps:
Place your crutches about 1 foot in front of you, slightly wider apart than your body.
Lean on the handles of your crutches and move your body forward, without stepping forward on your weak leg.
Finish the step by swinging your strong leg forward.
Repeat. Go slowly, it may take a while to get used to this movement.
Turn by pivoting on your strong leg, not your weak leg.
Your health care provider may give you instructions about how much weight you can put on your weak leg. These may include:
Non-weight-bearing: This means keep your weak leg off the ground when you walk.
Touch-down weight-bearing: You may touch the ground with your toes to help with balance, but do not bear weight on your weak leg.
Partial weight-bearing: You may put less than half of your body weight on your weak leg.
Weight-bearing as tolerated: You may put more than half of your body weight on your weak leg as long as it is not painful.
SittingBack up to a chair, bed, or toilet until the seat touches the back of your legs.
Move your weak leg forward, and balance on your strong leg.
Hold both crutches in your hand on the same side as your weak leg.
With your free hand, grab the armrest, the seat of the chair, or the bed or toilet.
Slowly sit down.
StandingMove to the front of your seat and move your weak leg forward.
Hold both crutches in your hand on the same side as your weak leg.
Use your free hand to help you push up from your seat to stand up.
Balance on your strong leg while you place a crutch in each hand.
StairsAvoid stairs until you are ready to use them. Before you can go up and down them on your feet, you can sit down and scoot up or down, one step at a time.
When you are ready to go up and down stairs on your feet, follow these steps (practice with a spotter first):
To go up:
Step up with your strong leg first.
Bring the crutches up, one in each arm.
Place your weight on the strong leg and then bring your weak leg up.
To go down stairs:
Put your crutches on the step below first, one in each arm.
Move your weak leg forward and down, followed by your strong leg.
If there is a handrail, you can hold onto it and hold both crutches on your other side in one hand, but this may feel more or less awkward, so be sure to go slowly.
Safety TipsMake sure any loose rugs, rug corners that stick up, or cords are secured to the ground so you do not trip or get tangled in them.
Remove clutter and keep your floors clean and dry.
Check the tip or tips of your crutches daily and replace them if they are worn. You can get replacement tips at your medical supply store or local drugstore.
To prevent falls, wear shoes or slippers with a rubber or other non-skid or soles. Do not wear shoes with heels or leather soles.
If you need to carry small items with you, use a small backpack, fanny pack, or shoulder bag to keep your hands free while you are walking.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/08/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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When Claudio says that time goes on crutches what does he mean by that?
Claudio means that time goes by slowly.
Where can you donate crutches?
Salvation Army will take them and money for the sale goes to the charity.
What is the verb form of walking on crutches?
Do you mean a verb form of crutch? A long time ago, you could say something was crutched by someone or something, but we don't use it anymore that I know.If you're looking for a better or different way of saying "walking on crutches," you'd be better off using a synonym for walking that implies "with difficulty" like hobbling.You can say, "He walked on crutches for two weeks.""He can walk on crutches.""He was walking on crutches.""He will be walking on crutches at this time tomorrow."These are all verb forms of to walk.
Do you use crutches after bunion surgery?
Sometimes you do, it depends on the kind of cast you get. If the surgery makes you get a hard cast (the ones friends can sign), you need crutches. It you get a cast with a hard bottom, you also need them. The only time you don't need crutches is if the cast is EXTREMELY soft.
Can you hang shopping on crutches?
It's actually possible to hang shopping on crutches. It depends on how heavy it is. If its very heavy you would have a hard time walking on your crutches with the extra weight of you shopping. Even if it was a small package and if it fell for any reason.. im sure you will not be able to pick it up. so its better no to hang anything on your crutches. Another alternative might be to replace the crutches with either a Knee Scooter or Hands Free Crutch. Both free up your hands and require less energy than crutches. The can be rented online.
How do you say crutches in French?
crutches are 'des béquilles' in French.
Can you wear a high heel while on crutches?
I wouldn't recomend it I use crutches full time and dressing for work I always wear a four-inch heel, just as I did before losing my leg. Growing up, I was athletic having played softball all through school and into college plus dancing ballet. As a result, I have very good coordination which made it very easy for me to get about on crutches and in a heel. I feel very sorry for anyone that has a hard time acclimating to using crutches and my best advice is to learn the proper way to use your crutches and life will be a little easier. E
How do you create american girl doll crutches in your house crutches?
Sorry but you can't
Irritated a nerve around breast using crutches?
The proper way to use crutches is to place your weight on your hands, not under your arms. Crutches should be adjusted so that when you are using them, there is space between your armpit and the top of the crutches. If you are already using the crutches correctly yet you still have an irritated nerve you can try different crutches that wrap around your forearms, or use a walker or wheelchair.
How do you fake injuring your knee do that the doctor gives you crutches?
Put on an Ace bandage, buy your crutches and voila! I understand though, that walking and living with crutches is no picnic for the shoulders.
The shortest amount of time to have crutches if your 12?
it depends on what your injury is... i would say 5-6 months
Are crutches fun?
No.
