Elbow crutches (non-weight bearing)

About your affected leg

You must not place any weight on this leg.

• Keep this leg off the ground when you:
  • walk
  • stand
  • get up from sitting.
• In the first 72 hours, you must raise the leg as much as possible to help reduce swelling.
• Try to avoid standing for long periods of time during this period. Standing for a long time will increase swelling.

When we fit your crutches for the first time, we will show you how to use them to walk, stand, sit and go up/down stairs.

Walking 

Follow these instructions when walking with crutches.

• Place both crutches in front of you.
• Do not put any weight on the affected leg when walking.
• Keep the affected leg either:
  • in front of you with a straight knee, or
  • behind you by bending your knee (see photo).
• Push down through your arms.
• Step or hop your non-affected foot in line with your crutches. 

Do not step or hop past your crutches. If you step or hop past, you will swing and are more likely to lose your balance.

Standing and sitting 

Standing

Follow these instructions when using your crutches to stand.

• Place the crutches together, with the handles facing in opposite directions to create a ‘H’ shape.

• Hold the crutch handles firmly with one hand. Put the other hand on the surface you are sitting on and use it to help push yourself up.
• Do not put any weight through the affected leg as you stand yourself up, or when you are standing.
• When you are standing and feel well-balanced, place your hands through the rings on the crutches. Do this with the crutch handles facing forwards.

Sitting

Follow these instructions when using your crutches to sit (eg on a chair or bed).

• Take your arms out of the crutches and place the crutches into the ‘H’ shape.
• With one hand placed firmly on the crutch handles, lower yourself down. Do this by placing your other hand on the chair or bed behind you.

Stairs and steps

Going up stairs

Follow these instructions when going up stairs with crutches.
Always start by standing close to the first step.

Holding your crutch

• Take the crutch nearest to the handrail or banister and move it to your opposite hand. Do this by opening your fingers and carrying it in a T shape (see photo).
• Make sure you are holding this horizontal crutch on the outside of the standing crutch. This is so that it falls away from you if you drop it.
• Use your free hand to firmly hold onto the handrail or banister.

Taking each step

• Use your good leg first.
• Keep your affected leg behind you. Bend your knee if you can, so you do not hit the step in front.
• Push through both arms to ensure you keep your weight off your affected leg.
• Use your good leg to hop onto the first step.
• Put your crutch onto the step you are standing on.
• Repeat this sequence one step at a time.
• Take your time and make sure you are well balanced on each step.

Going down stairs

Follow these instructions when going down stairs with crutches.
Always start by standing close to the first step.

Holding your crutch

• Take the crutch nearest to the handrail or banister and move it to your opposite hand. Do this by opening your fingers and carrying it in a T shape.
• Make sure you are holding this horizontal crutch on the outside of the standing crutch. This is so that it falls away from you if you drop it.
• Use your free hand to firmly hold onto the handrail or banister.

Taking each step

• Keep your affected leg in front of you and off the ground. Keep it hovering above the step below.
• Place your crutch onto the step below.
• Push through both arms to ensure you keep your weight off your affected leg.
• Use your good leg to hop down onto the same step that your crutches are on.
• Repeat this sequence one step at a time.
• Take your time and make sure you are well balanced on each step.

Safety tips

• Regularly check the ferrules (rubber ends of the crutches). Make sure they are not worn and you can still see the ‘ring’ pattern.
• Make sure your crutches are a matching pair and are set at the same height.
• Do not walk on wet floors.  Crutches can easily slip on wet surfaces.
• Wear supportive footwear that will not come loose or fall off.
• Move any hazards in your home, such as rugs or mats.