10 Tips for How To Use Crutches

10 Tips for How To Use Crutches

How to get around better on crutches

When you break your leg or injure your knee, you can end up coming home with a pair of crutches. If you’ve never used crutches before, you need to know some key tricks to using them correctly. Unfortunately, many of us don’t get the right instruction before we attempt to use them.

Using crutches requires good upper body strength and flexibility. Using crutches also requires the injury to be isolated to a single leg; patients with an injured arm or two injured legs will usually require another type of support. Read these tips to properly use your crutches.

Here’s How to Use Crutches

1. Size the Crutches
The crutches should be properly sized so they are used appropriately and do not cause problems.  You shouldn’t assume the crutches you have at home are the right ones for you, they may need adjusting or getting ones of the right size. Crutches should be about one to two inches below the armpit when you are standing straight;

2. Have handles at hip height, so that your elbows are slightly bent when grasping 

3. Check the Padding and Grips
Check the crutches to ensure they have ample cushion on the armpit, grips, and especially on the base that    contacts the floor. These parts of crutches can be replaced by a medical supply store if they become worn. You will soon feel the pain if they don’t have enough padding.

4.Getting Up from a Chair
Place both crutches in the hand on the affected side (i.e., if you injured your right leg, grasp both crutches by the handle with your right hand). Grasp the handrest of your chair with one hand, and the
crutch handles in your other hand. Place your weight on your uninjured leg and push up with your arms.