Remote Primary Health Care Manuals

Using crutches

Crutches are used to help stop person putting weight on injured limb, and/or Plaster of Paris cast or slab, especially before it has set

Attention

  • Crutches should fit comfortably and cause no pain or tingling in arms or shoulders
  • Crutches that are too long put pressure on armpit, can damage brachial plexus (large network of nerves running from neck to arm) causing crutch palsy (drop hands)
  • Check crutches have all nuts, bolts, screws firmly in place and good non-slip rubber tips
  • Person needs shoes with good grip
  • Practise procedures yourself before teaching to others

What you do

Fit crutches

  • With person standing upright on their good leg, make sure tops of crutches fit properly under their arms
    • Top of crutches should be 2–3 finger widths below armpit when standing straight
    • Person should not stoop down or lift shoulders up to make them fit
  • Change height by moving position of bolt and nut on lower peg of wooden crutches, or using the push pins on aluminium crutches
  • Hand grips should be level with top of hip
  • Elbows should be a bit bent (15°) when holding hand grips

Demonstrate

  • Shoulders should be slightly forward when using crutches
  • Keep top of crutches tightly against sides using upper arms
  • Take weight through hands, not under arms
  • Don't rest armpits on top of crutches
  • Sitting to standing
    • Good foot on ground close to edge of seat, bad foot just in front
    • Hold both crutches in 1 hand, use other hand to push up from chair
    • Lean forward and stand up
    • Put 1 crutch under each arm and stand up straight
  • Standing
    • Hold crutches slightly to side of and just in front of feet
  • Walking
    • Look ahead to where you are walking, don't look at feet
    • Put both crutches forward and bring bad foot level with crutches
    • Swing good foot just past crutches
    • Do this again — this is walking
    • To change direction hop around or take small steps in a circle. Do not pivot or twist on your uninjured foot
  • Standing to sitting
    • Make sure good leg is right back against edge of seat
    • Take crutches from under arms, hold in 1 hand
    • Bend hips and knees, reach down to seat with other hand, keep bad foot slightly forward
    • Lower bottom onto seat
    • Keep crutches nearby, do not put weight on injured limb
  • Going upstairs
    • Get as close to first step as you can, put good foot up onto first step
    • Lift crutches and bad foot up onto same step
    • If hand rail — put both crutches in 1 hand, hold rail with other
    • Do this again — one step at a time
  • Going downstairs
    • Get as close to first step as you can, put crutches and bad foot down onto first step
    • Put good leg down onto same step
    • Do this again — one step at a time