Take weight through crutch( es) and handrail, put unaffected leg on first step. If you're using crutches due to an injury and need to use the stairs, there are a couple ways you can do so without too much difficulty. There has a flexible round shaped brace at the top. railing (or hold as in diagram) and use both crutches as one. If you are using two crutches, you will need to learn how to go up and down stairs using just one crutch. Follow with your strong leg. Going Down Stairs. Climb up to first step straightening good leg. Watch our video guide to standing, walking and sitting with crutches. Remove the crutch nearest to the handrail/banister and place it on the outside in the opposite hand. If someone is helping you, have them stand in front and to the side of you. Using one crutch. If your loved one is walking up the stairs, stay behind them by one or two steps. Going down the stairs with one crutch and one handrail. In fact, you will want to ask someone to "spot" you the first time you try this. So here are a few tips to help you get safely up and down the stairs with crutches. This crutch is for one hand use. Stairs. Here’s how. Then start hoping down to the next lower step. Next … To walk up and down stairs with crutches, you need to be both strong and flexible. When going up, lead with your strongest leg. A way to remember is “The good go to heaven, the bad go to hell.” You may be able to carry your other crutch up/down yourself by holding it horizontal in the same hand as the other one, so it forms a ‘T’ shape. Learn how to use crutches to go up and down stairs without a banister for support. Get close to the step. When you, then, go down the stairs, place the injured leg and the crutches down on the step below; support weight by leaning on the crutch. Use your arms and weight-bearing leg to move down one step; Repeat until you reach the bottom of the stairs, pausing to slide your crutches further down the stairs as needed; To go down the stairs with crutches (standing): Place your crutches one step down, holding one in each hand; Move your weak leg forward, followed by your strong leg Crutches provide temporary support if you're struggling to balance or need to take weight off of one, or both, of your legs. If joint pain or recent surgery makes taking the stairs feel daunting, the right techniques – unaided or with a cane, crutches* or handrail – can make it easier and reduce your risk of falls. Then, it goes again like the previous ones; the patient is to put the uninjured leg ahead of the crutch touching the ground for about a step. Going up stairs 1. Get someone to carry your other crutch up/down the stairs for you. One crutch can also be more convenient for climbing stairs if there is a railing on them for additional support. Only use this method if your therapist has shown you. Follow with your involved leg and then your crutches. Always make sure the crutch tip is completely on the stair. Place the crutch under the arm of the affected side. If there is no hand rail, put the cane on the opposite side of the weak/injured leg. Move your weak leg forward and down. Use 1 crutch and the stair rail if present (only if the railing is stable and there is someone to carry the other crutch). How To Use Crutches On Stairs - Partial-Weight Bearing Going Up Stairs: 1. Using Crutches On the Stairs – In this vides Cindy, PT with Adaptive Equipment Corner demonstrates how to use crutches up and down stairs when the person is non weight bearing. Bring the crutches up, one in each arm. Repeat cycle until you are at the top of the stairs. Using crutches or a cane on stairs or steps can be a very scary concept. How to Use a Cane On the Stairs. It supports walking or climbing receiving pressure of specific portion of the body. The first thing to remember when climbing stairs with crutches or a cane is always go up with your good leg, and down with your bad leg. Now move the crutch one step down, put your sore foot down, shift your weight forward, and then bring your good foot down. Hold onto one crutch and the handrail. Place your weight on the strong leg and then bring your weak leg up. You can use the crutch like a rail and reduce the pressure through the knee. You need to hold the pair of crutches under one armpit while use the other hand to grab the handrail. Then, step up with your uninvolved leg. Crutches are assistive devices used to help a patient ambulate. The first thing to remember when climbing stairs with crutches is always go up with your good Utmost Care to Move on Stairs Up stairs 6. Even if there is a railing, make sure it's stable and securely attached to the wall and able to support your weight. This is a quick NCLEX review over crutches for nursing students! Using a 4-point gait-style. Remember, it is important to go slowly and use caution when going up and down stairs. Using Crutches On the Stairs. Be patient and deliberate while learning. Shift your weight onto your crutches and your involved leg. Making Sure the Crutches Fit 1. Face the stairs with the crutches close to the first step. Use a Crutch/Stick If you don’t have any bannisters/hand rails on your stairs or only have one on one side, using crutches or a stick can help. It does not matter which side the stair rail is on. y Hold the railing with your free hand and stand close to the rail. Share Tweet Print Source: NHS 24. If I don’t have a railing, I keep one crutch in either hand. Hold on to both of the crutches in your other hand. Then, move the uninjured leg down. If you're going up stairs that have a railing, use the railing to help support and balance your body with one … Fitting Your Crutches • Adjust your crutches for your height. The top of the crutch should be 1 to 2 inches below your armpit. Make sure to put the crutch on the step above the one you are currently standing on as you put your weight on the guide rail. Going up the stairs. Use the crutch in the hand opposite to the injured leg. So move close to the railing, and move the crutch to the opposite side, as we did before. This handout gives instructions on how to safely use crutches to help your recovery and healing. Stand on floor facing stairs, hold onto handrail with one arm and crutch( es) in outside arm, close to first step. Going up • Stand close to the handrail and hold on with one hand. How to Use Crutches . However, you should only use a solitary crutch to navigate stairs if a stair rail or support is present. Here are a few tips to help you get safely up and down the stairs with crutches or a cane. Place the top of the crutches under your arms. You might be using two crutches and non-weight bearing (NWB) on one side, partial weight bearing (PWB) with two crutches, or PWB with one crutch. Help your child to follow these instructions: Stand at the top of the stairs with the toes of your unaffected leg close to the edge of the step. Therefore, try to find someone who will help hold your body and support you to climb up or go down the stairs. Crutch first, then sore foot, then the good foot. Step down one step at a time. Stand close to the bottom step. The Basics . Remember to take your time and move up slowly one step at a time. 4. Stairs Remember the saying “good to heaven, bad to hell”. Turn the spare crutch so it The cuff on the crutch should sit 2.5 cm-4 cm (1 in-1.5 in) below the back of the elbow. Indeed, studies have shown that using a walking cane can reduce the forces through the medial side of the knee by 15-45%. 3. If both crutches can be held in 1 hand safely, you can use both crutches on 1 side and the railing on the other. When going down, lead with the weaker one. Push on the crutches and place strong leg up onto the first step; Straighten the strong leg and lift the crutches and weaker leg up to the same step; With 1 crutch and a bannister on the right: Hold the right hand crutch on the outside of the left crutch so it creates a cross shape To go down stairs with a handrail, place one crutch under one arm and use the handrail with the other arm. Using two crutches to use stairs, especially when going down is very unsafe. Stairs. How to Use a Cane On the Stairs – In this video Cindy, PT with Adaptive Equipment Corner demonstrates how to use a cane going up and down the stairs. Repeat the cycle of left crutch, right leg, right crutch, left leg; Going up stairs if you can put weight on your leg. If possible, have someone help you when using crutches on stairs. Stand near the stair railing with your unaffected foot on the railing side and hold the railing. Using crutches on stairs or steps can be very scary. A gripper in the middle helps to balance of upper portion of the crutch. As the nurse you must know the following material about crutches: How to tell if the crutches properly fit the patient? When you walk, the pressure should be on your hands, NOT your armpits. You may also put crutches on one side and use the handrail. This type of crutch is common in Europe, however in the U.S. generally only people with lifelong disabilities such as polio use this type of crutch. Facing the stairway, hold the handrail with one hand and tuck both crutches under your armpit on the other side. Going Up Stairs 1. When you go up the stairs, hold onto the rail with one hand and the crutch with the other hand (or both crutches if no rail). Always follow instructions from your doctor or therapist. 2. Your physiotherapist can show you how. 5. Some forearm crutches are ergonomic, designed for more comfort and reduced chance of injury. Going Down Stairs . Stand straight. Going down stairs with crutches. Walking down stairs while on crutches is one of the most challenging and dangerous areas of mastering the use of crutches. How to Use Crutches 1/4 . Place your one crutch onto the lower step, bringing your affected leg forward at the same time. If you have any further questions, please speak to a physiotherapist caring for you. When you are going up, lead with your good … 3. If I have a railing available, I make use of it and put both crutches in the opposite hand to the railing. Go up with the good, down with the bad. Put the ends 12 to 20 cm (5 to 8 inches) to the side of your feet. Use the crutches and your strong or healthy leg to move up or down each step. The different types of gaits used for crutches (two point, three point, four point, swing to gait, swing through gait)? Do not throw it down or up as it may be difficult to pick up afterwards. Rest one hand on the back of the pelvis for support. 1.Place the cane in the opposite hand of the hand rail. When coming down the stairs and a railing is available, we recommend you use it. This gives you better support and helps you walk with more normal movements. Without the handrail, the movement through the stairs is quite tricky and risky. How to use elbow crutches on stairs with a rail This leaflet aims to guide you on how to use elbow crutches on the stairs. Use the guide rail and the crutch to help lift your uninjured leg on to the first step. Going Down Stairs: 1. 2. Use 2 crutches if there is no stair rail. For support, lower the crutch down to the step below and move your injured leg down and then bring your stronger leg down. To go down stairs: Put your crutches on the step below first, one in each arm. To do this, keep your arm in the grey cuff of the crutch supporting you on the other side to the handrail. • Make sure your elbows are slightly bent. With repetitions all over, the user is likely to keep the injured leg off the ground using the other one all the time. It withstands weight of upper portion of body. Again, I make sure I feel steady before starting. It this way, if they fall backward, you're in … Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the use of only one crutch causes some strain on the injured leg and slightly increases the possible risk of falling. 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