Using Crutches: Up and Down Steps

After you injure a leg, you may need crutches to help you with walking. Going up and down stairs with crutches can be hard. You need to use the crutches and your legs in a specific order. This will help prevent falls and protect the leg that is hurt or weaker. 

Up and down with 2 crutches

Up:

  1. Push down on your crutches with your arms

  2. Step up with good leg

  3. Bring weaker/hurt leg and the crutches up to the step at the same time (if you have specific restrictions your therapist will discuss them with you)

Down

  1. Place crutches down on the step below

  2. Step down with weaker/hurt leg (if you have specific restrictions your therapist will discuss them with you)

  3. Step down with uninjured leg

Up and down with 1 crutch and 1 handrail

Up:

  1. Hold the handrail with one hand and hold one crutch in your opposite hand

  2. Push down through the crutch and the handrail and step up with your uninjured leg (if you have specific restrictions your therapist will discuss them with you)

  3. Bring your crutch and your weaker/hurt leg up to the step at the same time.

Down:

  1. Hold the handrail with one hand

  2. Place crutch on the step below

  3. Step down with weaker/hurt leg (if you have specific restrictions your therapist will discuss them with you)

  4. Step down with uninjured

3 steps in using crutches to go downstairs.

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