Patient/caregiver was educated on how to use crutches while climbing down the stairs without siderails as follows:
- Have both the crutches, one in each hand. Make sure both crutches are securely placed in the armpits and the hands are gripping on the handgrips of crutches tightly before starting to climb down.
- While climbing down the stairs, let your crutches lead you. Advance the crutches by placing them on one step down, from where you are standing.
- Once the crutches are firm, stable, and properly placed on the step below, swing the weak leg forward to the step below, and lastly, move the strong leg down to place it on the step below and meet the crutches.
- You can repeat the process by advancing the crutches first, followed by swinging the weak leg forward to the step below, and then, moving the strong leg down.
- Allow yourself enough time to climb down the stairs, one at a time. Do not take more than one step at a time and do not try rushing through the process of getting down the stairs, which can compromise balance resulting in accidents and falls.
- Once you are down the staircase, continue to walk as you normally do using the crutches.
