Gentlemen, be careful! This is how to use crutches properly

Have you ever had to use crutches after a leg injury or surgery? Maybe someone in your family has. At first, this may seem a little difficult and inconvenient, but once you learn how to use it properly, it's not so much. Crutches are a very important piece of equipment that helps you walk and stand while giving your injured leg, knee, or ankle a rest. Let's see how to work with these crutches safely and easily.

When do you need to use crutches?

It's very common to use crutches after a leg injury or surgery. Here are some examples:

• Sports injuries: From sprains to knee injuries like ACL tears or meniscus tears, crutches may be required until they heal.
• Fractures: When a bone in the leg, knee, ankle, or foot breaks (fractures), crutches are needed.
• Ligament or tendon disorders: Your doctor may also recommend crutches for conditions such as Achilles tendon rupture or tendinitis.
• Surgery: Crutches are also needed after lower body surgeries, especially common surgeries like arthroscopic surgery.

How much weight can the injured leg bear?

This is a very important question. How much weight you can put on your injured leg depends on the nature of your injury and your level of recovery. Your doctor or physiotherapist will give you clear instructions about this. We call this "weight bearing". They may use these words:

What types of crutches are there?

There are several main types of crutches. The most common type seen in our country is the one that is placed under the armpit.

How can crutches be made easier to use and safer?

Adjust the crutches to fit you perfectly.

Before using crutches, it is essential to adjust them to your exact height.

• Most crutches can be adjusted in height. Ask your doctor or physical therapist for help with this.
• For underarm crutches, there should be about 2 inches of space between the top of the crutch and your armpit when you stand upright.
• The handgrip should be at your hip level, with your elbows slightly bent.

Safety tips to remember

• Check to see if the rubber tips on the bottom of the crutch are in good condition and not worn out.
• After walking outside, check to see if there are any stones, mud, or leaves stuck in these rubber grips. These can cause slips and falls.
• Inside your home and workplace, remove things that could get tangled on the floor (cables, rugs).
• Be sure to use crutches until your doctor tells you to. Even if you feel like you're doing better now, stopping them before the time is up can lead to re-injury or damage to the area where you had surgery.

Let's learn to stand, sit, and walk using crutches.

How do you get up from a chair?

1. Sit a little forward in the chair, towards the corner.

2. Bring both crutches together and hold them with the hand opposite the injured leg .

3. Now, place one hand on the crutches and the other hand on the chair, and stand up slowly, putting weight on your good leg .

4. Once you are well balanced, place both crutches under your armpits.

How do you sit down from standing?

1. Lean back against the chair and lean back until you feel the corners of the chair against the back of your legs.

2. Balance by putting weight on your good leg.

3. Remove both crutches from your armpits and hold them together with one hand.

4. Hold the chair with your other hand behind your back and sit down.

How do you walk using both crutches?

1. First, stand up straight and balance yourself well.

2. Place both crutches and the injured leg slightly forward at the same time .

3. Now put weight on the handgrips of the crutches and place your good leg forward.

4. Once you are balanced again, take the next step.

The hardest thing for most people: going up and down stairs

Going up and down stairs is the most challenging part. You need to do this very carefully and carefully . If possible, have someone help you. There is a simple rule: "Up with the good, down with the bad." That means when going up, the good leg is in front, and when going down, the bad (injured) leg is in front.

Let's climb the stairs.

• If there is a handrail:

1. Hold the handle firmly with one hand.

2. Tuck both crutches under the other armpit.

3. Put your good leg up first.

4. Then, elevate the injured leg and crutches.

• If there is no help:

1. Put your good leg up first.

2. Then, lift both crutches and the injured leg together.

Let's go down the stairs.

• If you have any help:

1. Hold the handle firmly with one hand.

2. Place both crutches under the other armpit.

3. First, place the injured leg and crutches on the lower step.

4. Then take the good leg to the lower step.

• If there is no help:

1. First, place the two crutches on the lower step.

2. Then place the injured leg down.

3. Take the good leg down to the end.

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