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Proper Positioning
The top of your crutches should reach between 1 and 1 1/2
inches below your armpits while you stand up straight.
The handgrips of the crutches should be even with the top of
your hip line.
Your elbows should bend a bit when you use the handgrips.
Hold the top of the crutches tightly to your sides, and use
your hands to absorb the weight. Don't let the tops of the
crutches press into your armpits.
Walking
Lean forward slightly and put your crutches about one foot
ahead of you. Begin your step as if you were going to use
the injured foot or leg, but shift your weight to the
crutches instead of the injured foot. Your body swings
forward between the crutches. Finish the step normally with
your non-injured leg. When the non-injured leg is on the
ground, move your crutches ahead in preparation for the next
step. Keep focused on where you are walking, not on your
feet.
Sitting
Back up to a sturdy chair. Put your injured foot in front of
you and both crutches in one hand. Use the other hand to
feel for the seat of your chair. Slowly lower yourself into
it. Lean your crutches upside down in a handy location.
(Crutches tend to fall over when they are stood on their
tips.) To stand up, inch yourself to the front of the chair.
Hold both crutches in the hand on your good leg side. Push
yourself up and stand on the good leg.
Stairs
To walk up and down stairs with crutches, you
need to be both strong and flexible. Facing the stairway,
hold the handrail with one hand and tuck both crutches under
your armpit on the other side. When you're going up, lead
with your good foot, keeping the injured foot raised behind
you. When you're going down, hold your injured foot up in
front, and hop down each stair on your good foot. Take it
one step at a time. You may want someone to help you, at
least at first. If you're facing a stairway with no
handrails, use the crutches under both arms and hop up or
down each step on your good leg, using more strength. An
easier way is to sit on the stairs and inch yourself up and
down each step. Start by sitting on the lowest stair with
your injured leg out in front. Hold both crutches flat
against the stairs in your opposite hand. Scoot your bottom
up to the next step, using your free hand and good leg for
support. Face the same direction when you go down the stairs
this way.
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