How to use Crutches

Health > How to use Crutches

Why use crutches?

If used correctly, crutches can accelerate the healing of certain injuries by reducing potentially detrimental weight bearing forces during walking or standing. This allows healing to take place in the absence of further tissue damage, thereby accelerating recovery. Crutches may also improve mobility and walking technique. In addition, patients who use crutches correctly may be less likely to develop other injuries due to compensatory walking strategies (i.e. limping).

When should crutches be used?

As a general rule, if walking is painful and causing you to limp due to your injury, crutches are most likely to be useful. The suitability of crutches can be determined by a physiotherapist. Crutches are also indicated for conditions including:

• Most surgical procedures or fractures of the lower limb
• Most moderate to severe sprains of the ankle, knee or hip
• Moderate to severe muscle strains of the lower limb

All patients using crutches should see their physiotherapist to ensure their crutches are fitted and used correctly and that it is appropriate to use them.

How much weight should I be placing through my injury when using crutches?

The degree to which crutches should be used to reduce weight bearing forces varies from injury to injury. In some conditions, no weight should be placed through the affected region for a period of time. In these instances, full body weight should be placed through the crutches. This should be guided by your physiotherapist and is generally reserved for fractures or during the first few days following severe sprains and strains of the lower limb. In most injuries, however, some weight bearing force placed through the affected region is beneficial, with the remaining bodyweight placed through the crutches.

As a general rule, when using crutches, weight should be taken off the affected limb so walking is pain free and does not cause you to limp. If you experience an increase in pain with rest after walking with crutches, or the following night or morning after walking with crutches, then you have been putting too much weight through your injured leg. In these instances, it is advisable to place more weight through the crutches to prevent soreness with rest or the following night or morning.

How can I obtain crutches?

Crutches can usually be hired on a weekly basis from your local pharmacy. Alternatively, crutches can be purchased through the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

How do I set up my crutches correctly?

It is important to obtain crutches that are comfortable for use and are in a safe and working condition. Ensure you have no upper limb injuries that may be aggravated through the use of crutches. Adjust the height of the crutches so your elbow is at a slight bend and your back is straight (figure 1).

How do I use my crutches correctly?

There are several walking patterns that may be used with crutches to accelerate healing of injuries and allow for mobility. The correct pattern for a particular condition and patient should be guided by your physiotherapist.

Crutches walking pattern 1 – Non Weight Bearing

The following crutches walking pattern is the non weight bearing pattern (figure 2) and is the most effective way to reduce stress on the injured leg. You should discuss the suitability of this walking pattern for your condition with your physiotherapist. Generally it may be used for a period of time with severe injuries (such as fractures), following some surgical procedures or in the first 1 – 3 days following injury.

When walking, place both crutches on the ground in front of you, followed by hopping with your good leg either to the level of the crutches or slightly past them. Proceed slowly at first, practise in a safe environment to prevent falls and ensure you are maintaining good control and balance. Keep the injured leg off the ground throughout this walking pattern.

As your condition improves, this pattern may be progressed to one of the below partial weight bearing patterns as directed by your physiotherapist and provided symptoms do not increase.

Figure 2 – Non Weight Bearing Walking Pattern (left leg injured)

Crutches walking pattern 2 – "Step To"

The following crutches walking pattern is the 'step to' pattern (figure 3) and should generally be used first for injuries requiring partial weight bearing:

When walking, place both crutches on the ground in front of you, followed by stepping with your injured leg and then your good leg so your legs are level with the crutches (figure 3). Using the crutches, take enough weight off your affected leg so that:

1. Walking does not increase your symptoms
2. You are able to walk heel-to-toe without a limp

(N.B. If you cannot place any weight through the affected limb pain free, it is recommended that you do not put any weight through the affected limb. In these instances, you should use the non weight bearing walking pattern (figure 2) until you speak with your physiotherapist).

As your condition improves and provided this pattern feels comfortable, balanced and it is pain free, this pattern may be progressed to the 'step through' crutches walking pattern as directed by your physiotherapist and provided symptoms do not increase.

Figure 3 – 'Step To' Walking Pattern (left leg injured)

Crutches walking pattern 3 – "Step Through"

When walking, take a step with your injured leg and place both crutches on the ground at exactly the same time as your injured leg. Your good leg then 'steps through' past your crutches and injured leg (figure 4). With this pattern you are effectively walking normally, however, the crutches are contacting the ground at exactly the same time as your injured leg, therefore reducing weight bearing forces as required (figure 4).

Figure 4 – 'Step Through' Walking Pattern (left leg injured)

How do I use my crutches when going up and down stairs?

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When can I stop using my crutches?

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How to use Crutches Summary

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Physiotherapy Products to assist with crutches use and rehabilitation

• Crutches
• Braces & Supports
• Rehabilitation Products

To purchase physiotherapy products to assist with crutches use and injury rehabilitation click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.

Find a Physio

Find a physiotherapist in your local area who is an expert in the use of crutches and injury rehabilitation.

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