Crutches are used to help stop person putting weight on injured limb, and/or Plaster
of Paris cast or slab, especially before it has set
Attention
Crutches should fit comfortably and cause no pain or tingling in arms or shoulders
Crutches that are too long put pressure on armpit, can damage brachial plexus (large
network of nerves running from neck to arm) causing crutch palsy (drop hands)
Check crutches have all nuts, bolts, screws firmly in place and good non-slip rubber
tips
Person needs shoes with good grip
Practise procedures yourself before teaching to others
What you do
Fit crutches
With person standing upright on their good leg, make sure tops of crutches fit properly
under their arms
Top of crutches should be 2–3 finger widths below armpit when standing straight
Person should not stoop down or lift shoulders up to make them fit
Change height by moving position of bolt and nut on lower peg of wooden crutches,
or using the push pins on aluminium crutches
Hand grips should be level with top of hip
Elbows should be a bit bent (15°) when holding hand grips
Demonstrate
Shoulders should be slightly forward when using crutches
Keep top of crutches tightly against sides using upper arms
Take weight through hands, not under arms
Don't rest armpits on top of crutches
Sitting to standing
Good foot on ground close to edge of seat, bad foot just in front
Hold both crutches in 1 hand, use other hand to push up from chair
Lean forward and stand up
Put 1 crutch under each arm and stand up straight
Standing
Hold crutches slightly to side of and just in front of feet
Walking
Look ahead to where you are walking, don't look at feet
Put both crutches forward and bring bad foot level with crutches
Swing good foot just past crutches
Do this again — this is walking
To change direction hop around or take small steps in a circle. Do not pivot or twist
on your uninjured foot
Standing to sitting
Make sure good leg is right back against edge of seat
Take crutches from under arms, hold in 1 hand
Bend hips and knees, reach down to seat with other hand, keep bad foot slightly forward
Lower bottom onto seat
Keep crutches nearby, do not put weight on injured limb
Going upstairs
Get as close to first step as you can, put good foot up onto first step
Lift crutches and bad foot up onto same step
If hand rail — put both crutches in 1 hand, hold rail with other
Do this again — one step at a time
Going downstairs
Get as close to first step as you can, put crutches and bad foot down onto first step