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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Use crutches according to the weight-bearing instructions given for your specific knee injury. Before walking, confirm whether you must keep the injured leg off the ground, may touch it down lightly, may put only some weight on it, or may bear weight as tolerated. If you are unsure, contact your treating clinician or physiotherapist before walking on that leg.
1. Confirm how much weight you may put on the injured leg
Crutch technique depends on your prescribed weight-bearing status. These terms describe different limits; they are not interchangeable. MedlinePlus explains the categories in its crutch-use guidance.
- Non-weight-bearing: Keep the injured foot off the floor while moving, unless your treating team has given different instructions.
- Toe-touch weight-bearing: The toe may touch down for balance only, within the limits your clinician specified.
- Partial weight-bearing: Put only the permitted amount of weight through the injured leg. Ask your clinician how to judge that amount if it was not explained.
- Weight-bearing as tolerated: You may put weight on the leg as symptoms allow, within the plan set by your treating team.
If your discharge instructions do not clearly identify your status or explain how to walk with it, call the treating team or physiotherapist for clarification. Do not choose a more permissive status because walking feels manageable.
2. Check crutch fit and hand placement
Have a clinician or physiotherapist check the fit, especially if the crutches were not adjusted for you. For underarm crutches, MedlinePlus recommends about 1 to 1½ inches (2.5 to 4 cm) between the top of the crutch and the armpit, with the handgrips at hip level and elbows slightly bent. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) describes about 1 to 2 inches below the armpits and handgrips level with the top of the hip line. These are general fitting checks, not a substitute for an individual adjustment.
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Support your weight through your hands on the grips, not through your armpits. As MedlinePlus puts it: “Let your hands carry your weight, not your armpits.” Pressure on the underarm area can cause injury. Keep the rubber tips clean and in good condition, and make sure adjustments and fittings are secure. See MedlinePlus and AAOS crutch-fitting guidance.
3. Walk using the sequence that matches your status
Stand upright, hold the grips, and move slowly. Keep your eyes ahead rather than fixed on your feet. Take small steps when turning, and pause to regain your balance between steps. MedlinePlus advises turning by pivoting on the stronger leg rather than the weaker leg.
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For non-weight-bearing walking
- Move both crutches forward together, keeping them stable.
- Hold the injured leg clear of the floor.
- Support yourself through your hands and arms on the grips.
- Bring the uninjured leg forward between or just beyond the crutches, as your clinician demonstrated.
- Pause, check your balance, and repeat.
This sequence is described by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Do not use it as a substitute for a different pattern prescribed for toe-touch, partial weight-bearing, or weight-bearing as tolerated.
For toe-touch or partial weight-bearing
Move the crutches and injured foot in the pattern your clinician demonstrated, allowing only the contact or loading specified in your instructions. The permitted contact differs by status, so one generic step sequence cannot safely cover every restriction. If you do not know where to place the injured foot or how much weight to apply, ask for instruction before walking.
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For weight-bearing as tolerated
Follow the walking pattern shown by your treating team and let symptoms guide how much weight you put through the leg, within your prescribed plan. If pain or balance makes the instructed pattern difficult, stop and contact your clinician for advice rather than improvising.
4. Sit down and stand up with control
Choose a stable chair. The Gloucestershire Hospitals leaflet, MedlinePlus, and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust describe a controlled approach:
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- SUPPORT & COMFORT. Lightweight and durable, these crutches offer balanced body weight support. Plus, the hand grips and underarm cushions are made with thick padding for extra comfort during use.
- DURABLE. These adult medical crutches are designed to support users with a variety of heights and builds. These lightweight aluminum crutches have a weight capacity of 300 lb.
- ADDED TRACTION. The durable, non-skid rubber tips provide good traction during use while absorbing shock for secure maneuvering on the go.
- ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT. BodyMed Aluminum Crutches are adjustable in 1 in. increments. To adjust, simply press the push-button height adjustment to set your desired height.
To sit
- Back up until the chair edge is behind your knees.
- Gather both crutches in one hand and keep the injured leg positioned according to your weight-bearing instructions.
- Reach for the chair arm or seat with your free hand.
- Lower yourself slowly, keeping the crutches close and stable.
To stand
- Move toward the front of the chair and position the injured leg as instructed.
- Hold both crutches together in one hand.
- Push up from the chair with your free hand; do not pull yourself up by the crutches.
- Pause until you are balanced, then place one crutch in each hand.
5. Treat stairs as a separate skill
Do not assume stairs are safe just because you can walk on level ground. Stair use requires balance and strength, and the guidance differs depending on your ability and surroundings. Ask your clinician or physiotherapist to demonstrate the method for your injury; practise with another person nearby at first, and use a handrail when directed.
Some guidance describes using a rail and moving one step at a time; Gloucestershire Hospitals also identifies moving on the bottom as the safest option. If you feel unsteady, do not attempt a stair technique from written instructions alone. Ask your treating team whether seated movement, assistance, or another arrangement is appropriate. Guidance from AAOS, MedlinePlus, Gloucestershire Hospitals, and University Hospitals Plymouth reflects different techniques and circumstances, not one universal stair method.
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6. Reduce trip hazards and check the crutches
- Remove loose rugs, curled rug corners, cords, and clutter from your route; clean up spills and keep floors dry.
- Use good lighting and flat, supportive shoes with non-slip soles.
- Keep frequently needed items within reach. Carry essentials in a backpack or hands-free bag so your hands remain available for the crutches.
- Check the rubber tips regularly, replacing them when worn. Look for damage, loose fittings, or wear around adjustment holes.
These precautions are recommended in the crutch-safety guidance from Gloucestershire Hospitals, MedlinePlus, and AAOS.
7. Know when to seek medical advice
Contact your treating team if walking becomes harder, pain is increasing, or your symptoms are not improving. Gloucestershire Hospitals advises NHS patients to contact NHS 111 when symptoms are not improving or pain is increasing. That route is specific to the UK; elsewhere, use your local urgent-care or medical advice service.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust lists increasing calf tenderness, redness, warmth, or swelling in one leg among possible signs of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Its leaflet advises emergency care for chest pain or breathlessness. These are UK hospital instructions; outside the UK, follow local emergency guidance for sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other severe symptoms.
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