What you need to know about crutches
Remember: Support your weight by holding the cane handle with both hands, not your armpits on the cane. Because the armpit has important vascular nerve plexus through, so as to avoid pressure injury.
Note: The doctor will guide you to choose the weight-bearing degree of the affected leg when using crutches according to the actual situation and referring to the following methods:
No weight bearing: that is, the affected leg is not stressed, that is, keep your affected leg off the ground;
Light weight bearing: can be maintained with toes Balance;
Partial Loading: Able to distribute part of the body weight to the affected leg;
Tolerable Loading: Able to carry large Some or even all of the weight on the affected foot;
Full weight: Full weight bearing, as long as there is no pain.
Note: Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions to prevent too much or too little weight, which will affect your recovery.
Walking with crutches
1. Support the crutches on both sides of the feet to keep the body steady;
2. Two crutches Press the top on both sides of the ribs as much as possible, don’t use your armpits directly on the crutches, straighten your elbows, and support your weight with both hands;
3. Move both crutches forward at the same time;
4. Move the affected leg forward on the same plane between the crutches;
5. Swing the normal leg forward and place it in front of the crutches;
6. Keep repeating and you can walk forward (Crutches -> Affected Leg -> Normal Leg).
Tip: Do not lean on the crutches while walking.
Using crutches to stand up and stand up
1. Before you are ready to stand, please make sure that the chair or bed is stable and firm;
2. The normal leg is supported on On the ground, move your body forward to the edge of the chair or bed;
3. After closing the crutches together, hold the handle of the crutch with the hand on the side of the affected leg, and hold the hand on the unaffected side. Chair armrest or bed edge;
4. Use both hands to support and force, while your normal legs stand up and keep standing.
Note: Before you start walking, make sure you are firmly on your feet and then place the crutches at your sides.
How to sit down with crutches
1. Step back slowly until the normal leg touches the edge of the chair or bed;
2. Keep the weight on the normal leg and close the crutches together;
3. Hold the handle of the crutch with the hand on the side of the affected leg, put the hand on the unaffected side on the edge of the chair or bed, and then bend Sit down slowly with the unaffected knee;
4. Sit down slowly. Always keep the crutches next to the chair.
Note: Unless your doctor allows partial weight bearing on your leg, you should still keep your leg off the ground while sitting down.
Use crutches to go up and down steps or stairs
1. If the steps or stairs have handrails, try to use the handrails. Put the two crutches together and hold it with the hand away from the handrail of the stairs (as shown in the picture); hold the handrail with the other hand, and keep your body as close to the handrail as possible;
2. Stairs: As instructed, hold a cane in each hand as you would when walking.
Up the stairs with handrails
1. When preparing to go upstairs, move your body close to the bottom one of the stairs;
2. Combine crutches with one hand and hold the stair handrail with the other hand, and keep the body as close to the handrail as possible;
3. Support both hands at the same time, and move the normal leg forward to go up one level of stairs;
4. Keep the weight on the normal leg;
5. Move the crutches and the affected leg to the same level of stairs;
6. Repeat, go upstairs . Don’t be in a hurry on the stairs.
Up the stairs without handrails
1. When you are ready to go upstairs, move your body close to the bottom one of the stairs;
2. Hold a crutch in each hand and support it at the same time, and move the normal leg forward to go up one level of stairs;
3. Keep the body weight supported on the normal leg;
4. Move again Go up the same stairs with crutches and the affected leg;
5. Repeatedly, go upstairs. Don’t be in a hurry on the stairs.
Note: When going upstairs, if someone assists, ask him or her to stand behind you to protect you.
Going down stairs with handrails
1. Move your body close to the edge of the stairs to be descended;
2. Merge the double turn Hold with one hand, hold the handrail with the other hand, and keep your body as close to the handrail as possible;
3. Hold the handrail with one hand down, hold the crutches with the other hand and move to the next stair, moving at the same time The affected leg is down;
4. After the hands are supported and stabilized, move the normal leg to the next stair;
5. Repeatedly, go downstairs. Go down the stairs one by one, don’t be too hasty.
Going down stairs without handrails
1. Move your body close to the edge of the stairs to be descended;
2. Hold one in each hand Use crutches, move the crutches to the next stair, and follow the affected leg at the same time;
3. After the two-hand support is stable, move the center of gravity down, and then move the normal leg to the next stair;
4. Repeatedly, go downstairs. Go down the stairs one by one, don’t be too hasty.
Note: When going downstairs, if someone assists, ask him or her to stand in front of you to protect you.
Remember: “The good leg is up, the bad leg is down.”
How to use crutches to get through the door
Please make sure the door has enough space to allow your Passed on both feet and crutches. After opening the door, put the foot of the crutch on the side of the door against the door. Then go through the door.
Precautions for the use of crutches
1. Please use crutches correctly, making sure not to press your armpits against the top of the crutches. If you experience numbness, pain and discomfort in your armpits, correct your crutches immediately. If you use it correctly and still find compression in your armpits, it may be that your crutches are too long and need to be shortened.
2. Make sure the crutches have rubber feet, thickly padded shoulder rests and handles. Make sure that these parts are firm, not loose, not severely damaged, and need to be replaced if necessary.
3. If your hands are prone to pain or fatigue, you can add thick padding to the crutch handle.
4. Avoid walking on slippery ground with crutches. If you have to, try to slow down as much as possible.
5. The carpets or mats laid on the floor are easy to slip and fall, try to move them away, and do not use crutches to move on them.
6. When using crutches, please wear shoes with protective support, or rather bare feet rather than slippers.
7. When using crutches, the handle of the crutch may scratch the skin between your arms and chest wall. You can use a lotion or talcum powder to prevent skin abrasions and inflammation.
