Walking and Sitting with Crutches

When an injury or surgery keeps you from putting weight on one leg, crutches become your best ally for staying mobile. Learning the proper technique is essential not only for getting around comfortably, but also for protecting your wrists, shoulders, and uninjured joints while you heal.

1. Use your crutches to establish a steady stride. Lean forward slightly and place both crutch tips about one step ahead of your body. Transfer your weight directly into your hands and palms—never rest your body weight directly on your armpits, as this can compress sensitive nerves. Swing your torso gently forward, letting your healthy leg carry your weight as you step down. Reset the crutches forward and repeat the sequence smoothly.

• Keep your injured leg gently bent behind you, elevated a few inches above the floor so your toes do not catch on rugs or uneven surfaces.
• Focus your gaze forward rather than down at your feet. Looking straight ahead feels strange at first, but it quickly stabilizes your balance.
• If you must step backward, always glance behind you first to make sure there are no cords, pets, or furniture blocking your path.

2. Sit down and stand up with controlled movements. Always aim for a sturdy, non-wheeled chair. Back up carefully until you feel the edge of the seat against the back of your uninjured leg. Transfer both crutches to your injured side, holding them together by the handgrips. Lean slightly on the crutches, extend your injured leg forward, reach behind you with your free hand to grip the armrest or seat, and lower yourself down slowly.

• Rest your crutches upside down against a wall or beneath a sturdy table so the rubber tips point upward. Propping them tip-down often causes them to slide and crash to the floor.
• To stand up, reverse the process: hold both crutches on your uninjured side, push down against the chair and your crutch grips, stand up using your strong leg, and then place one crutch back under each arm once fully upright.

Navigating Stairs with Crutches

A helpful rule of thumb for any staircase is: “Up with the good, down with the bad.” This simple cue ensures your strongest leg always supports the heavy lifting.

1. Lead with your healthy foot when heading up. Approach the bottom of the stairs and grip the handrail firmly with one hand. Tuck both crutches together under your other arm (or have someone carry one crutch if available). Step up first with your uninjured foot, press through that leg, and bring the crutch and your injured leg up to join it on the same step.

• Have a friend or family member stand just behind you during your first few attempts to spot your balance.
• If the staircase lacks a handrail, keep both crutches under your arms, press down through your palms, step up with your strong leg, and follow with the crutches and injured foot together.

2. Lead with your crutches and injured leg when heading down. Hold the handrail with one hand and keep the crutch under the opposite arm. Lower the crutch and your injured leg down to the lower step first, keeping your weight supported through your arms and the railing. Then, gently bring your healthy foot down to meet them.

• Without a handrail, plant both crutches down on the lower step first, extend your injured leg slightly forward, and lower yourself down using your arms before stepping with your good foot.
• If you ever feel dizzy, unsteady, or encounter steep steps, choose the safest route: sit on the top step and scoot down on your bottom one step at a time, keeping your injured leg extended straight ahead. Simply ask someone to bring your crutches down to meet you at the bottom.