Patient/caregiver was educated on how to walk using crutches as follows:
- Crutches are assistive devices used to provide more support to individuals with unilateral lower extremity weakness and consequent compromised balance.
- Compromised balance could be secondary to weakness, injury, surgery, involving either of the lower extremities and weight bearing joints on one leg. The weakness and limitations on lower extremity weightbearing could be temporary or permanent.
- Crutches are usually used to complement an injured or weak leg and take some/total weight off of injured or weak leg. So, when a single crutch is being used, it is held in the hand opposite of the weak leg. When both crutches are being used, they are held one in each hand.
- Make sure both crutches are securely placed in the armpits before starting to ambulate.
- Make sure you are moving the crutches forward first, swing in the injured/weak leg to join the crutches, and lastly, take a small step with the good leg. Plan to advance your crutches forward for a distance of no more than 1 to 1.5 feet. This helps with taking small steps, maintain good balance, and contribute to fall prevention.
- Do not extend your crutches too far ahead that you might need to stretch to catch up.
- Observe compliance with deliberate practice of these instructions during every day ambulatory activity, to gain control with use of the assistive device.
