You have been given crutches so that you can rest your injured leg.
You should wear a shoe with a non-slip sole on the uninjured foot to prevent slipping.
The top of the crutches should be 2-3 fingerbreadths under your armpits.
NEVER put any pressure on your armpits when walking or standing as this may lead to nerve damage.
The weight should be taken on the handgrips.
Regularly check the ruber stoppers for adequate tread.

BATHING OR SHOWERING WITH PLASTER OR A COMPRESSION BANDAGE

Keep the leg up on the side of the bath and protect the area with a plastic bag.
When showering cover the area with a good quality plastic bag and tape the bag to the skin above the injured part.
Apply cling wrap over the bag and sticky tape the join.
A chair placed in the shower may be useful.

WHEN WALKING WITH CRUTCHES

Place each crutch 4-6 inches to the front and side of each foot.
Allow time to get your balance.
Move both crutches forward, and then move your injured leg to the crutches (when familiar with this you can move the crutches and leg simultaneously).
Next move the uninjured leg forward to the level of the crutch tips, you may swing past the level of the crutches when feeling more confident OR partial weight bearing.
Repeat the above steps.

STAIRS

Remember:
‘Good leg to heaven’
‘Bad leg (with crutches) to hell!’

GOING UP STAIRS

Keep crutches under arms.
Lift uninjured leg up first, then both crutches, then the injured leg.

WHEN GOING DOWN STAIRS

Keep crutches under arms.
Place crutches onto step below then injured leg, then uninjured leg.

WHEN SITTING USING CRUTCHES

Keep crutches sunder arms and turn around using small hops until your back is to the chair, THEN REMOVE THE CRUTCHES FROM UNDER ARMS AND SIT DOWN.

[click here for PDF version for printing]