CRUTCHES, WALKERS & CANES Walking Aids to Get You On Your Feet Again
When You Need a Walking Aid Do you have an injury or condition that makes it harder for you to get around? A walking aid (crutches, a walker, or a cane) can help. This booklet will help you learn how to use your walking aid (also called an assistive device) safely so that you don t injure yourself. Getting to Know Your Walking Aid The type of walking aid that s best for you depends on your injury or condition. Your strength and overall health also matter. Once the right aid is chosen, proper fitting helps you use the aid safely and effectively. Crutches Crutches are often used for injuries to the knee, ankle, foot, or hip. Using crutches requires good coordination, balance, and upper body strength. Place the crutches as shown in the picture. If you re using only one crutch, keep it on the unaffected (uninjured) side unless told otherwise. To check fit: Place the tips 2 inches in front and 6 inches to the side. The crutches fit if: You can put 2 to 3 fingers between your armpit and the top of the axillary pad. Your wrists are even with the handgrips when your arms hang at your sides. Precautions Crutches should have nonskid rubber tips to prevent slipping. Change tips that look worn. Don t let armpits rest on the pads. This can cause tingling, numbness, and loss of muscle strength. Don t use crutches that are too short or mismatched. Doing so can cause back pain and falls. In wet weather, dry crutch tips when going indoors. Keep your arms slightly bent at the elbows when your hands are on the handgrips. 2
If your walking aid doesn t feel right, ask your doctor, nurse, or physical therapist (PT) to check the fit. Walker A walker is often used for injuries involving the leg, hip, or back. It may also be used for nerve or muscle problems that affect balance. A walker gives more stability than crutches. To check fit: Stand in the center of the walker. Make sure all four legs are level. A walker fits if: Your wrists are even with the handgrips when your arms hang at your sides. Your arms are slightly bent at the elbows when your hands are on the grips. Precautions If your walker is unwheeled, it should have nonskid rubber tips to prevent slipping. Change worn tips. If you re using a folding walker, be sure you know how to lock it open. Check that it s locked open before use. Keep your back upright. Don t hunch over the walker. Cane A cane is often used after crutches or a walker. It is not as stable as those devices, but it gives more independence. Hold the cane on the unaffected (stronger or uninjured) side unless told otherwise. To check fit: Place the tip 2 inches in front and 6 inches to the side. The cane fits if: Your wrist is even with the handgrip when your arms hang at your sides. Your arm bends slightly at the elbow when you hold the handgrip. Precautions The cane should have nonskid rubber tip(s) to prevent slipping. Change tip(s) that look worn. Keep the cane away from your feet so that you Keep all four legs of the walker the same length. A wooden cane must be cut to the right height. don t trip. 3
Using Crutches: The Basics To use your crutches, you need to learn a new way to walk (gait). Your healthcare provider will tell you whether you should keep your weight off your leg (non-weight-bearing gait) or whether you can put some weight on it (weight-bearing gait). Balanced Standing (Tripod) Position Use this position when you start or end a movement. Also use it whenever you re standing for any length of time. Move your crutches in front of you about 12 inches. If you are non-weight-bearing, hold the affected foot off the floor. Walking: Non-Weight-Bearing Use this gait if you are told not to put any weight on your leg. Two variations are shown below. 1. Start in a balanced standing (tripod) position. 2. Squeeze the pads against the sides of your chest. The tips should be wide enough apart for you to move easily between them. Support your weight on your hands and your non-injured leg. Swing To 3. Press down on the handgrips. Lift your unaffected foot and swing your body up to the crutches. 4. Land on your unaffected foot, between the crutches. Keep the unaffected knee slightly bent. 5. Reach forward and out with the crutches to begin the next step. OR Swing Through 3. Press down on the handgrips. Lift your unaffected foot and swing your body through the crutches. 4. Land on your unaffected foot, about 12 inches in front of the crutches. Keep the unaffected knee slightly bent. 5. Reach forward and out with the crutches to begin the next step. 4
How Much Weight Should I Put on My Leg? Your healthcare provider will tell you how much weight to put on your injured leg. If you can bear weight, you may be told to use one of the following: Toe-touch or touch-down: Lightly touch your affected foot to the floor, and let your crutches bear most of the weight. Imagine that you re stepping on a ripe tomato: Step lightly so that it won t be squashed. Partial weight-bearing: Put some weight on your affected foot as you walk. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much. Full weight-bearing: Put full weight on your affected foot. Use your crutches mainly for balance. Walking: Weight-Bearing Use a weight-bearing gait if you are told that you can put weight on your leg. Two variations are shown below. 1. Start in a balanced standing (tripod) position. Step To 4. Lift your unaffected foot and step to the crutches. 5. Land on your unaffected foot, between the crutches. Keep the knee slightly bent. 6. Reach forward and out with the crutches to begin the next step. OR 2. Step forward with your affected foot. Land lightly between your crutches. 3. Squeeze the pads against the sides of your chest. Support your weight with your hands and your affected leg. Press down on the handgrips. Step Through 4. Lift the unaffected foot. Step forward through the crutches. 5. Land on the unaffected foot, with the heel just in front of the toe of the other foot. Keep the knee slightly bent. 6. Reach forward and out with the crutches to begin the next step. 5
Using Crutches: More Ways to Get Around When climbing up and down steps, remember this rule: Up with the good (unaffected leg) and down with the bad (affected leg). If you re non-weight-bearing, ask your healthcare provider for instructions. Up Stairs Hold the handrail with one hand. Put both crutches in your other hand. Support your weight evenly between the handrail and your crutches. Put some weight on the crutches. Step up with your unaffected foot. Get your balance. Straighten your unaffected knee and lift your body weight. Bring your crutches and affected leg up to the step. Down Stairs Hold the handrail with one hand. Put both crutches in your other hand. Bend your unaffected knee, moving your crutches and affected leg down. Support your weight evenly between the handrail and your crutches. Slowly bring your unaffected leg down. Don t hop. Precautions When there is no handrail, keep one crutch under each arm. Follow the instructions above. If the stairs are slippery or steep, it may be safer to lift or lower yourself from step to step while sitting. Hold both your crutches in one hand as you do so. 6
Through Doors To push a door open, stand sideways and push the door open with your body. To pull a door open, stand to the side. Get your balance and pull the door fully open with your hand. Plant the tip of the nearest crutch inside the door to act as a doorstop. Leave the crutch in place until you ve walked through. Sitting Down Back up until you feel the chair with the back of your leg. Hold both crutches in the hand on the affected side. Getting Into Cars Follow the first step above for sitting in a chair. Use the doorjamb or the dashboard for support as you lower yourself. Watch your head. Don t hold on to the car door, or it may close on you. Grab the armrest or side of the chair with your free hand. Place your affected leg out a few inches. With your hands, lift your affected leg into the car. Or, use your unaffected leg to hook your affected leg behind the ankle and lift it in. Lower yourself onto the front of the chair, then slide back. To get up, reverse the 3 steps. Precautions Always move slowly and carefully. When sitting down, use sturdy, high-seated chairs with arms. If you must use a chair that swivels or has wheels, back it against something stable before you sit down. If you have had a hip replaced, you may need special instructions from your doctor. 7
Using a Walker To use your walker, you will need to learn a new way to walk (gait). This will be either a non-weight-bearing gait or a weight-bearing gait. Follow any instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. Non-Weight-Bearing Hold the affected foot off the floor. Weight-Bearing Roll the walker (or lift it if you re using an unwheeled walker) forward about 12 inches. Sitting Down Back up until you feel the chair behind you. If you have an injured leg, knee, or hip, place that leg out in front of you. Lift the walker (or roll it if you re using a wheeled walker) forward about 12 inches. If you have an injured leg, a new joint, or a weaker side, step forward with that foot first. Use the walker to help you keep your balance as you take the step. Bend forward at your hip. With one hand, reach behind you and grab the armrest or side of the chair. Do the same with your other hand. Support your weight on your hands. Move the unaffected foot forward to the center of the walker. Bring your other foot forward to the center of the walker. Lower yourself onto the center of the chair, then slide back. 8
Up Curbs Move your feet and the walker as close to the curb as possible. Put your weight on both your legs, then lift the walker onto the sidewalk. Step onto the sidewalk with the unaffected foot. Using the walker to support your weight, bring up the affected foot. Down Curbs Move your feet and the walker as close to the edge of the curb as you safely can. Lower the walker onto the street, keeping its back legs against the curb. Using the walker to support your weight, lower the affected foot. Then step down with the other foot. Pushing Doors Open Push the door hard so Walk forward through it swings open. Move the doorway, using the walker into the the walker to hold the doorway to keep the door open as you door from closing. pass through. Pulling Doors Open Stand to the side. Use Walk forward through your hand to pull the the doorway. The door so it swings open. walker will hold the Move the walker into door open until you re the doorway and hold through. it firmly. The walker will stop the door from closing completely. Precautions Always use an elevator if one is available. If you must use your walker on stairs, ask your healthcare provider for instructions. To avoid climbing curbs, look for curb cuts. These are often found at corners. street 9
Using a Cane A cane helps support some weight. The most common type of cane has a single tip. But if you have balance problems, a quad (four-point) cane may be recommended. Hold your cane on the unaffected side, unless told otherwise. Walking Put all your weight on your unaffected leg. Find your balance. Move the cane and your affected leg forward. Up Stairs and Curbs If there is a railing, hold on to it with your free hand. Step up with your unaffected leg first. Then move the cane and affected leg together as a unit. Support your weight on both the cane and the affected leg. Then step through with your unaffected leg. Put your weight on the unaffected foot and start the next step. When using a quad cane, place the cane so that all of the tips touch the ground. Down Stairs and Curbs To walk down, step down with your affected leg and the cane first. Follow with your unaffected leg. 10
Home Safety Making changes at home can reduce hazards, prevent falls, and make daily tasks easier. An occupational therapist (OT) or a PT can suggest ways to make your home safer. Ask a family member or friend to help you make these changes. Home Tips Prepare a bedroom on the main living level if you normally sleep upstairs. Remove objects that could cause you to trip, such as throw rugs. Tape down or move electrical cords out of the way. Place items you use often, such as a computer or cellphone, within easy reach. Install handrails along stairs, if needed. Make sure rooms are well-lit. Bathroom Tips Put in a commode chair or elevated toilet seat. Install grab bars in your shower or tub for support as you get in and get out. Install a handheld shower hose. Add a bath bench or shower chair to your tub or shower stall. Get a long-handled sponge to make bathing easier. Place a nonslip bath mat on the floor to help prevent falls. 11
Special Instructions: Also available in Spanish Getting Back Into the Game With practice and patience, you ll soon learn to use your walking aid. As you become more skilled, you ll find it easier to get around. Here are some tips to help you as you get out and about with your walking aid. More Tips Wear sturdy, flat-soled or low-heeled shoes with nonskid soles. Watch out for wet surfaces and objects underfoot. Plan extra time to get places. Stop and rest often. Keep your walking aid within easy reach when you are seated or in bed. Put a basket on the front of your walker to hold small, light items. You can buy a basket at a pharmacy or medical supply store. Get special grips or cleats for the tips of your walking aid if you need to walk in icy conditions. TAKE OUR PATIENT SURVEY. Help us help other patients. Please visit www.kramesurvey.com to provide your feedback on this booklet. This booklet is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a medical problem. 2014, 2016 The StayWell Company, LLC. www.kramesstore.com 800.333.3032 All rights reserved. Made in the USA. 12044 1605