Patient/caregiver was educated on how to use crutches while climbing up the stairs with siderails as follows: Have both the crutches in the hand opposite to the side of the injured/weak leg. Make sure both crutches are securely placed in the armpit and the hand is gripping on the handgrips tightly before starting to climb up. Place the other hand on the side-rails along the stairways, which can help offer extra support. If the side-rails [...]

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 [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on features to look for on a crutch to enhance safety and comfort as follows: Individuals with health conditions, such as, arthritis and gout, involving small joints of the hands, can have poor grip of the crutch. The inflammation in the small joints of the hands limits the range of motion of the fingers and prevents the individual to form a firm grip. Firm grip on the crutch hand grip is important [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on features to look for on a crutch to enhance safety and comfort as follows: While using a crutch, choosing/adjusting the crutch to proper height is important to ensure better stability, improved safety, and fall prevention. An individual too short for the crutch is more at risk for injury to the nerve in the armpit, leading to altered sensation and poor grip in the hand. An individual too tall for the crutch [...]

Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to choose/adjust the crutch to appropriate height, and grip as follows: Crutches usually come with adjustable markings to match up for different individuals’ height. Adjust this marking to your height and the crutch more or less should be appropriate for your use. Alternatively, stand upright against a wall wearing your regular walking shoes, with hands falling on the sides freely. You can choose a crutch or adjust the height of [...]