How to Use Crutches

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Medically reviewed by Mayami Oyanagi

Last Updated: November 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Fitting and Positioning

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Walking and Sitting

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Taking the Stairs

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Researchers say that it's important to start walking as soon as possible after an injury or surgery, but it's important for your affected leg to be supported.^{[1]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine

Go to source} Fortunately, experts agree that crutches can help you walk without putting weight on your leg. It's important to use your crutches correctly so you don't accidentally fall, worsen your leg injury, or damage the skin or tissue under your arms.^{[2]
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Research source} With a little practice, you can learn to walk with your crutches.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Fitting and Positioning

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Make sure the crutches are sturdy, and that the rubber padding, where your armpit rests, is still springy. Inspect the bolts or pins that adjust the crutch length. Make sure the crutches have the rubber tips at the bottom.^{[3]
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Cleveland Clinic
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2
Adjust the crutches to a comfortable height. Stand up straight and place your palms on the hand grips. When adjusted to the correct position, the top of the crutches should reach between 1.5 to 2 in (3.8 to 5.1 cm) below your armpits.^{[4]
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Mayami Oyanagi
Physical Therapist

Expert Interview. 27 January 2021.} The hand grips should be even with the top of your hip line.^{[5]
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- When the crutches are properly adjusted, your arms should be comfortably bent while you stand up straight.
- When you adjust the crutches, wear the shoes you'll be most frequently wearing when you use the crutches. They should have low heels and good support.
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The crutches should be held tightly to your side for maximum control. The cushions at the tops of the crutches should not actually touch your armpits; rather, your hands should absorb the weight of your body as you start to use the crutches.^{[6]
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Part 2

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Walking and Sitting

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1
Use the crutches to help you walk. Lean forward and place both crutches about a foot in front of your body. Move as though you are taking a step with your injured foot, but place your weight instead on the handgrips of the crutches. Swing your body forward and rest your non-injured foot on the ground. Repeat to continue moving forward.^{[7]
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- Hold your injured foot cocked slightly behind your body, several inches from the floor so that it does not drag.
- Practice walking this way with your head forward, rather than looking at your feet. The motion will begin to feel more natural with practice.
- Practice walking backward, too. Look behind you to make sure no furniture or other items are in your way.
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Practice taking small steps. Start by placing the foot pads of the crutches a short distance (about 12 in (30 cm)) in front of you so they're slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. When you're stable and ready, lean on the crutches, push against the handles, and straighten your arms to transfer your weight. Swing your body slowly through the gap between the crutches, lifting your good leg and moving it forward. Place the foot of your good leg flat on the ground, keeping the other leg next to the good leg.
- When you need to turn, pivot with the strong leg, not the weak leg.^{[8]
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- As your injury begins to heal, it'll be easier to take larger steps but avoid moving the crutches farther forward than your bad foot's toes. Otherwise, you might lose your balance and fall.
- Be careful especially the first few days on the crutches since they can be a little challenging to get used to.
3
Distribute your weight correctly as you walk. Lean on the crutches and swing forward, slowly shifting your weight forward using your forearms, not your elbows. Be sure to keep a slight bend to your elbow, and use your arm muscles instead of leaning on your armpits.^{[9]
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- Leaning on your crutches with your armpits can hurt and may cause you to develop a painful rash. Instead, support yourself on your hands with your arm muscles.
- Put socks or a rolled-up towel on top of the armpit pad to help prevent a rash.
- Leaning on your crutches with your armpits could lead to a condition called radial nerve palsy. If this happens, the wrist and hand can become weak, and occasionally the back of your hand can lose feeling.^{[10]
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  Research source} The good news is the injury usually heals itself once you relieve pressure.
- Leaning on the armpit could also cause brachial plexus injury, or "crutch palsy," or rotator cuff tendonitis, which causes inflammation and pain in the shoulder and outer arm.
4
Use the crutches to help you sit. Locate a sturdy chair that won't slide backward when you sit down. Back up to it and put both crutches in one hand, leaning on them slightly and placing your injured foot in front of you. Use the other hand to steady yourself against the chair and lower yourself into the seat.^{[11]
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- Lean the crutches against the wall or a sturdy table with the armpit rests down. They may topple over if you lean them tip-down.
- When you're ready to stand up, turn the crutches right side up and hold them in the hand on your non-injured side. Hoist yourself up and place your weight on your healthy foot, then pass one crutch to the injured side and balance using the hand grips.

Part 3

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Taking the Stairs

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1
Lead with your good foot when you go up stairs. Face the stairs and hold the handrail with one hand. Tuck the crutches beneath your armpit on the other side. Step up with your good foot and keep your injured foot behind you. Lean on the crutches as you take the next step with your good fit and again bring your injured foot up from behind.^{[12]
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- You may want to ask a partner to help you the first few times you take the stairs since it can be tricky to keep your balance.
- If you go up stairs without a railing, place a crutch under each arm. Step up with your good foot, bring your injured foot up, then put your weight on the crutches.
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Go down stairs with your injured foot in front of you. Hold the crutches under one armpit and grasp the handrail with your other hand. Carefully hop down to the next step. Hop down one step at a time until you reach the bottom.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- If the steps don't have a handrail, lower your crutches to the stair below, move your injured leg down, then step down with your other foot with your weight on the hand grips.
- To reduce the risk of accidentally taking a topple, you can also seat yourself on the top step, holding your injured foot in front of you, and use your hands to support yourself as you scoot down the steps one stair at a time. You'll have to ask someone to bring the crutches down for you.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Where should the adjustable handles be?

Mayami Oyanagi
Physical Therapist
Mayami Oyanagi is a Physical Therapist and the owner of PT STOP Physical Therapy & Wellness, an individualized physical therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 14 years of experience, Mayami specializes in orthopedic injuries, manual therapy, and sports medicine. She holds an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. Mayami is also a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She treats the root cause of her client’s problems by utilizing biomechanical assessments.

Mayami Oyanagi

Physical Therapist

Expert Answer

You want your handles to be at roughly waist height. If they're too low, you might get a sore neck or shoulders. If they're too high you may put strain on your back or arms.

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What does the weight limit on crutches refer to? Can a 400-lb person use 325-lb limit crutches safely?

Jonas DeMuro, MD
Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon
Dr. DeMuro is a board certified Pediatric Critical Care Surgeon in New York. He received his MD from Stony Brook University School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Critical Care at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and was a previous American College of Surgeons (ACS) Fellow.

Jonas DeMuro, MD

Board Certified Critical Care Surgeon

Expert Answer

The weight limit on the crutches indicates the maximum weight that the crutches can support. You do not want to exceed the weight limit as they could collapse and cause further injury. A patient would need to get crutches that are appropriate for his or her size and weight. A 400-lb person should look for bariatric or heavy duty crutches that have a higher weight limit.

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Question

How do I use one crutch?

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Expert Answer

Place the crutch under the arm opposite your weaker leg. Move the crutch forward and step with your weaker leg at the same time. Keep the crutch close to your body for support and balance. Support your weight on both your crutch and your weaker leg.

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Tips

Make sure that you plan ahead where you will be walking and where you will place the crutches.

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If you know in advance that you will need crutches, such as before a planned surgery, get the crutches in advance and practice using them correctly.

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Warnings

Never rest your weight, or put any weight, on your armpits. Your crutches should never even touch your armpits. Your hands and arms, in combination with your uninjured leg and foot, should bear all your weight.^{[14]
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