About the instructions

You have been given a pair of crutches. You can put weight on your injured/operated leg, when you walk. Use the cruthes for as long as needed.

We will adjust the crutches to suit you

We will adjust the crutches to suit your height. Crutches have the correct height when you can hold onto the crutches with a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and your arms fall to your side with a slight bend at the elbow.
If you have a bandage on, such as a boot or cast, the crutches has to be adjusted when the bandage is removed.

Use a shoe with a high sole

If you are wearing a splint or cast on one foot, wear a shoe that fits snuggly on the other foot. This will help you move around more safely. Try to wear a shoe with the same sole thickness as the splint or cast so your legs are the same length.

Getting around on crutches

The crutches will help you move around. Remember to take steps of equal length when walking:

• Place both crutches in front of you.
• Place your injured leg in front of you between the crutches.

In some cases, you will only need one crutch when walking:

• Place the crutch on the opposite side of the injured/operated leg.
• Move the crutch and your injured/operated leg forward at the same time, and move your healthy leg forward, in front of the crutch and injured leg.

Walking on stairs

When walking up and down stairs, hold on to the railing with one hand. Hold on to both crutches in the other hand. Hold the crutch you are not using on the outside of the other one.

Walking up stairs:

• First place your healthy leg on the step.
• Next, place your crutch and injured/operated leg on the step. Remember to take only one step at a time.

Walking down stairs:

• First, place the crutch on the step, followed by your injured/operated leg.
• Then move your healthy leg onto the step.

If you can, you can move the crutch and injured leg onto the step at the same time.

Standing up and sitting down

Standing up when using crutches:

• Move forward so you are sitting at the edge of the chair.
• Stretch the injured/operated leg slightly forward and place your other foot just under the chair.
• Place your hands on the seat or armrests and push yourself up.
• Balance yourself and grab your crutches.

Sitting down:

• Position yourself so the back of your knee touches the seat.
• Place your injured/operated leg slightly forward.
• Place your hands on the seat or armrest when lowering yourself so they support your weight.

Return the crutches after use

When you no longer need the crutches, please return them to the hospital where you got them from.