How to Use Crutches Correctly - Ask Doctor Jo
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- Walking with Crutches may seem simple, but if you don’t use crutches correctly, or if the crutches are the wrong height, you could hinder your recovery. In this video, Doctor Jo shows you the basics of walking with crutches and sizing them correctly for various situations. See Doctor Jo’s blog post about this at: www.askdoctorjo...
One of the most important things about crutches is to have the right height. The legs are adjustable, and most of them now have the height for each hole, but this is just for guidance. You should have a slight bend in your elbow and the top of the crutches should be about 2 inches below your armpit, not touching so you don’t press on the nerves in your armpit. You also want the crutches to be slightly out to the side and not right by your feet, so you have some more stability when walking.
So once you have the crutches correctly adjusted, you need to know how much you are allowed to put on your injured side. There is non-weight bearing, toe touch weight bearing, partial weight bearing, and weight bearing as tolerated.
The first one is non-weight bearing. Without shrugging your shoulders, shift all your weight to your good leg, and then bring both crutches forward in front of you. Then shift your weight onto the crutches, and swing your good leg forward. The crutches go where your injured leg would go. Continue this movement.
Then next one is a toe touch weight bearing. You can put about 20% of your body weight on your injured leg, or imagine you are putting your foot on eggshells, and you don’t want to crush them. The crutches go where your injured leg goes. Bring your crutches and your injured leg forward putting most of your weight on the crutches and step through with the good leg. Continue this movement.
Now you have partial weight bearing or maybe even weight bearing as tolerated. So now you can go down to one crutch. Begin in a standing upright position holding a crutch on the opposite side of your injured leg. The crutch goes where your injured leg goes. Bring your crutch and your injured leg forward and step through with the good leg. Continue this movement. Try not to lean on the crutch. It is just there for a little bit of support to get you closer to walking without anything.
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Doctor Jo is a licensed Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy.
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How to Use Crutches Correctly:
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DISCLAIMER: This video and any related comments are not medical advice. Doctor Jo is a licensed Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy; however, she is not YOUR Physical Therapist and can't possibly diagnose you through the Internet. So don't use this information to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they have given you. This information should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any medical condition. If you are not properly diagnosed, this information won't help, and it could make things worse. If you experience any pain, stop immediately and see your healthcare professional.
Buy a printable worksheet with the How to Use Crutches steps in this video here: www.askdoctorjo.com/purchase-how-to-use-crutches-worksheet
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Does under arm crutches stop blood circulation is it better to use just arm crutches kas
So if I'm 5'7 is 5'7 the right hight for the crutch??? This is where I'm struggling that and hurting my armpits and loosing balance on my crutches
I stumbled upon this, and watched this for the heck of it, despite not needing crutches. However, the very next day, I broke my ankle and I now need crutches, so I think this is a very good example of real-life foreshadowing 👌
Don't go watching any horror movies any time soon 😟
Go watch a " how to be a billionaire " video.
Quit watching ...
Alexanders VeryOwn haha 😂 LoL I’m with you
@@alexandersveryown4760 yah
Just got crutches today. Not as easy as you make it seem haha. Schools gonna suck these next couple days.
It will be once you get the hang of it :-) I've just had lots of practice! Good luck.
Christian 312124 that was me right now it's Saturday and I'm going back to school Wednesday or Thursday
Same with me. We'll get through this together, stranger
Christian 312124 same
Same lol. Got bone tissue damage on my left foot. Pressure hurts so I guess crutches would be best.
Thank you so so much! I got my crutches today and I’ve been using them wrong. My armpits are hurting because my arms were rested on the pads the entire time I was using them. I adjusted them and they are much more comfortable now. Thank you again!!:)
You're welcome!
Same !!
Thank you so much for this. I just got my crutches today and I was using them totally wrong I know see. No wonder my arms are hurting, because I placed the crutch exactly how you state not to. Now I know and thanks to Your video I can get around a bit more comfortable. It's truly appreciated.
You're welcome! I'm glad it helped!
Oh man me to
Tee L me to
Tee L same
Thanks for the tips. I'm 11 years old and this is my first time i actually broke my leg and I'm very scared of falling. You make it seem so easy because I find it very hard. This summer is going to be terrible. Especially because I was going to go to Lake Compounce this week but now I can't go. Anyways, thank you for the tips
It will get easier. Good luck!
AskDoctorJo thank you 😊
Kiley McHugh thx you, god bless you 😊
@@erika_xo3820 I bet you forgot about this comment
this comment is super old holy cow
OMG, I've been crutching wrong these last few days and that's why I fall over! I put them too close to my body, I think. Thanks for these tips!
You're welcome! I hope they help.
AskDoctorJo , my amrpits are sore because i was slouching on them and it hurts, how do I stop it from hurting?
I've been using an old lady walker, the kind they fix tennis balls to the legs of, because I was terrified of the crutches, this video made everything so much easier and less terrifying. I'm a 28 year old guy so I look like a moron with the walker.
I'm glad it helped. Good luck!
John Bifulco 😂😂😂 i was thinkin abt using the samething
i just sprained my ankle and i need crutches and i keep getting them stuck on the ground and almost face planting 😂
Same! The armpit piece keeps falling out as i take a step and i trip
I just broke my ankle fibula I got surgery yesterday, I now have a metal plate in my ankle and I screw, I can’t touch the ground at all
I sprained my ankle also and now I’m getting crunches and I don’t know how to use them
Me to
I really needed this video, because I sprained my foot and I have to use crutches at school but it’s really hard.
Wow the armpit thing was surprising to me! That's why my arms have been aching the 2-3 days I've been walking on crutches
Unfortunately, many people use them that way. Good luck.
This helped a lot!!!! I tore my ACL and Meniscus 2 weeks ago as of today and this is helping me a lot!!!! ❤️❤️
Glad it's helping!
i just got crutches and im soooo happy i saw your video. I had to adjust my crutche's height because i had a fully straight arm and my shoulders were resting right at the top and i kept losing my balance on the crutches!! after i adjusted them everything felt sooo much better thank goodness
thank you so much doctor! I have been having gout attacks since suffering sudden cardiac death in July of 2020. My meds have thrown wrench in my purine levels. In the meantime while I have been given crutches I was never taught how to use them.. You have single-handedly resolved some back pain and arm issues I was having due to incorrect use.
God bless and thank you for all of the help you have given. I know I must not be the first to tell you this today. But you and the team behind the video have made a difference today. Thank you doctor, thank you video editor, producer, videographer. Whether a one woman team, or a group you have all made a difference in a life today.
You're welcome, and thanks! I'm glad it helped.
thank you so much..
now i can use crutches safely -w-
i broke my leg the past few days and i needed help
thanks for the tips :3
You're welcome!
Just shattered my ankle in four places at work yesterday and this video is seriously a life saver. First time I've broken something and I had to go all out! Lol. Thank you so much for this video. It's really helpful.
You're welcome. Sorry to hear your first break was a bad one!! Good luck.
I've had crutches for a while because I got hurt from soccer
Thank you for this 😭 the doctor who gave me mines just watched me struggle during the short practice test, gave no tips on how to actually use them. They sent me home after seeing how hard the tops were digging into my armpits and went "Yup, she got it" 😭
You're welcome.
Finally no more suffering. I just broke my leg and all my friends at school said I was using them wrong. Thanks your a life saver no more suffering for me
You're welcome. I'm glad it helped.
Good video Jo. It's my 1st day on crutches with a fractured fibula, it's really helpful to see how to use them and with your added advice. Many thanks!
Thanks, and you're welcome!
My grandson broke his foot at recess today ..he is seven..going to let him watch this video tomorrow when he gets up ..tells it better than i can explain it to him...thanks so much...
You're welcome. I hope he has a speedy recovery.
Just got crutches today for a possible foot strain/sprain. Thank you for the clean video! Very to the point!
You're welcome!
I just got crutches today and I have been doing it wrong! Im so glad I found this video in time!
Thank you for this great video. Just waiting for surgery on my ankle, double spiral fracture. I was walking with the crutches wrong and it is so much easier now. I understand I’ll be with the crutches for a while.
You're welcome.
I'm telling my fellow nursing students about this video - thanks for making it! It is so much better to see things demonstrated than just reading about it.
Do you have a video about going up and down stairs with crutches? or about using a walker?
Best Regards,
Barbara Page
oops! I just found what I was looking for!
Thanks for sharing it! You can find all my videos at: www.askdoctorjo.com, and they are broken down into categories to be able to find them easier.
AskDoctorJo can you do a video of how to get the strength to use a wheelchair without someone pushing the weelchair
From general weakness or from a specific injury?
Love how I learned this in the ER and not school☺️👍🏻
Thanks, I watched another video and can see that they had a few things no quite right! Watching this I can see how much better it will be not only for my sore knee but my balance to put the crutches a little wider! You always explain things so well! I think I will be getting around safer and with more comfort now! You are great!
You're welcome, and thanks! Good luck.
This is going to be useful for me for my knee surgery next month. I have watched your video from 2013 when I had been trying to learn knee strengthening exercises for dislocated knee (chondromalacia and patella tilt) and and now I'm here again before my MPFL.
Good luck with your surgery.
Thank you! I got diagnosed with tendonitis in my left foot yesterday and I'm in a post op shoe and using crutches for the very first time and its taking a bit to get used to.
You're welcome! It does take a little while, but once you get the hang of it, you shouldn't have any issues. Good luck.
Dharma Schofield OMG me too !!!! 😯
thanks so much, im 11 years and ld and broke my foot. im in so much pain and just got crutches. im so scared to fall and hurt my foot again :(
You're welcome. Good luck.
I wish I had seen your video earlier. I've been walking the wrong way with crutches for the past two days. Thank you.
You're welcome.
Thank you for this video. I’ve definitely been using my crutches incorrectly. I was thinking about making some extra pads, but actually I don’t have to now. Just adjust them and that helped out totally well. Thank you Thank you 😊
You're welcome.
I was on crutches for 7 months and by the end of it I did not care anymore 😂
I bet. That's a long time to be on crutches!
I messed up my ankle yesterday and I haven't had a chance to get it checked out so I have to use my brothers old crutches to get around for the time being and the shortest is 5'10 and I'm 5'7 😐
Oh no. That's a pretty big difference. Maybe you can hold them out a little wider to get them a little lower. Good luck.
Awesome video! I've NEVER had to use crutches but I recently sprained a ligament in my shin & I gotta keep weight off of it. I had to idea how to use crutches but this video was very informative. Thanks so much!!
Thanks, and you're welcome! Good luck with your recovery.
@AskDoctorJo, I was on Crutches recently when I broke my ankle at work. It sucked at first but I got used to it, lucky I didn’t need surgery
Thank you. Haven't used crutches in a few years and needed a refresher since I almost fell and am losing my balance on crutches from surgery the other day.
You're welcome.
I had a clean beak on my foot yesterday (from running) and I stumbled on this
This is super helpful, I broke my ankle and I was using canes. Did not work with the canes, but when I got the crutches I didn’t know how to use them, this is the most popular and helpful video, Ever.
Thanks! I'm glad it helped :-)
i have crutches and thanks for the arm pit part it was really helpful:)
You're welcome.
Such bad luck. I sprained my ankle a day before college started and stayed up late in the ER. Now I'm in a lot of pain. I have crutches now but it is so much harder than expected. I'm worried about going around campus in crutches. This video helped, thank you.
You're welcome. Good luck.
What if you sprained your left knee AND left ankle? I have crutches and my leg has to be extended. Plus I can't put ANY weight on my left leg right now. I'm in college and I'm sweating and breathing hard just to make it to short distances. What is the best way for me?
I could be the same for the hoping, but you put your leg out in front of you since you can't bend it. Good luck.
Hi how are u know
Wheelchair
Thanks I twisted my ankle today I have not got to a doctor or even got crutches but just in case I need them so thank you for teaching me how to use them
You're welcome.
Thank you so much I just got crutches after dislocating my knee and this helps a lot.
You're welcome. Good luck.
THANK YO U SO MUCH DR.JO!!! I sprained the whole side of my foot and pulled a muscle in my foot and it really hurts to use them!!
You're welcome! Good luck with your recovery.
sprained my ankle 2 days ago, and i was still having trouble with my crutches. but this video was very helpful thank you
You're welcome.
That's why my armpits hurt so bad, I can't even use them but this helped me. And I know when I have to bend over it's to small
This really helped me out I was doing it all wrong and my mom kept telling me to watch vids and I kept ignoring her this was the first video I watched then I practiced and I was a million times better
I'm glad it helped!
Having surgery on my other knee and this time I will get the crutches down pat. Last time I struggled! Thanks!!!!
You're welcome. It can definitely be a challenge!
This is great! Would you do a video using a walker. I have several clients that use walkers and their wrists hurt and they slump over quite a bit. Had a 93 year old who use to be a New York Model back in the 40's and she kept her good posture until she started using a walker.
+TheVideogirl1952 Thanks! They can be very bad for posture if not used correctly. I will try to get one so I can do a video.
+AskDoctorJo I got mine at a thrift store. I have used it to do barefoot shiatsu.
+TheVideogirl1952 Sounds like a good place to find one.
Thanks for the tips. Just got crutches yesterday for a fracture on my cuboid bone in left foot. Need to use crutches with brace. The last days have been so hard. I have been keeping crutches too close to my body and bending forward. Now I will do it correctly.
You're welcome.
Oh god, I've been placing my armpit directly where you said not to place them on. My arm is killiinnggg meeee. But hopefully tomorrow going to school will be better by following this tip
I hope it helps. Good luck.
Life saver I had no clue and I’ve fractured my ankle thank you
You're welcome.
Thank you so much, i sprained my ankle so i got crutches but I didn’t know how to properly use them. Now i know how!
You're welcome.
Thank you so much I was having so much trouble and with your tips my armpits aren’t dead anymore
You're welcome.
@@AskDoctorJo I can’t believe you replied after 4 years
😎
really appreaciate with this video..I just started with my partial weight bearing today and now I know how to use my crutches correctly. thanks Dr Jo
You're welcome! Good luck!
I want to say thank you today is my first day on crutches and just in the little time I have been doing it, it’s been hurting my arm pits and I noticed the circulation to my hands weren’t getting the blood circulation that was needed. But after watching I hope I can now prevent that so thank you so much ! Your video was very straight to the point but also very informative thank you.@askDoctorJo
You're welcome. Good luck with your recovery.
Thank you so much for this video I have fractured my ankle and wasn’t able to even get off my bed thanks so much
You're welcome.
Perfect for what I needed. Thanks. Any additional thoughts for a very large person?
thank you! I recently tore my knee ligament and need to do a MRI in a couple of days but my doctor bandaged it up for me and put support behind the leg. so I really needed to learn to walk with these cause for these couple of days I don't want to make my knee worse than it is now.
You're welcome. Good luck!
I just got a foot injury today in gymnastics sadly and I got crutches. They showed me how to use them but I was still a little confused so this helped me a lot.
I'm glad it helped. Good luck with your recovery.
I'm 11 and broke my knee. I got told I have to use crutches after a fall down stairs and didn't know how to use them.
Thaks for the tips! :)
You're welcome. Good luck!
Great Video. After a hip replacement how long must you use one crutch? So you can get to the point where not needing any crutch.
It really depends on how fast you heal, and how much balance you have. If you can walk normally without the crutch, then you don't need it anymore, but if you are still limping a lot without it, you still need it. Good luck.
Thanks so much for this video! I broke a bone in my ankle today while pushing my daughter in her stroller have been struggling since I got home from the hospital.
You're welcome!
Thank ypu so much! I broke a bond in my leg and i dont know how to use crutches i have the crutches this really helped me!
You're welcome!
I love how u make the right things because I broke a leg and i did not now how to use crutches and this is a very good video
Thanks!
I have a sprained ankle and this is very helpful thanks.
You’re welcome.
I fractured my foot and tore my ligament yesterday and now I’m here😩🙃
Good luck with your recovery!
16-year old here. Just tore my acl + meniscus and crutches are damn hard even with being allowed to bear some weight.
Thanks for the instructions though! I can’t wait for the actual surgery recovery 🤩 /s
You're welcome!
Thank you for this video - I have AVN and recently switched from a cane to the InMotion pro crutches and I really needed help learning the basics!
You're welcome.
Torn gluteus somewhere n the crutch was a mystery - till now🎉❤thank you in November end, 2023!
You're welcome!
Thank you so much I am gonna get crutches tomorrow I tried it out I should not even do it!!
You're welcome! Good luck.
I was also on Crutches when I sprained my ankle in high school at wrestling practice. My foot planted and I rolled over it. It was a grade 3 ankle sprain and the pain was unbearable. I missed 2 1/2 months of the season.
Thank You for this! 👍👍. I'm a first time user with crutches.
You're welcome. Good luck with your recovery.
Bro I just naturally did the 20 percent weight bearing thing and everyone at school was like your doing it wrong even though my doctor told me to do that.
I broke and fractured my foot yesterday this video helped me a lot thanks
You're welcome. Good luck!
I am 35% weight bearing but I'm telling you no matter h oi w much I try if I put one crutch on GOOD side I keep falling! It only works on my bad side!
awww thank you so much !! this video help me a lot. I'm going to have my practical test tomorrow . I'm quite nervous.
You're welcome. Good luck with your practical!
Thank you so much for the tutorial! My husband got me a pair of crutches because I got a really bad sprain in the ankle and he adjusted the length ALL TOTALLY WRONG! My armpits were hurting! Now I know why...!😁
You're welcome! Hopefully they will feel much better now :-)
Thanks, recently broke my toe and I’m struggling with crutches. This helped greatly. Turned out we had the wrong height adjustment as well.
You're welcome. Good luck with your recovery.
Awesome! I’m having surgery on my left hip this week so I know what I have to do
Thanks! It's best to know how to do it before you have to try :-) Good luck with your surgery.
Very informative video, really helpful to watch. Hope I can do it now. Thanks 😄
Thanks, and you're welcome. I hope you can too. Good luck!
I sprained my ankle pretty bad..my dad wrapped it up..
At school.. (SO FRICKEN PAINFUL!!!)
I told my mom and she said I might have to go to the
Doctors to see if i have to get crutches so..
Uh..here I am..
Good luck with your recovery.
Great to the point video. Thanks.
You're welcome.
Nice video mam.
Mam please upload your video on how to move with one crutches.
Thanks. It's all in the above video.
post acl surgery, this video helped me thank you
You're welcome. Good luck with your recovery.
Can you please explain why these underarm crutches seem to be the standard for the USA and Canada...but the UK seem to have elbow crutches as standard? Any idea?
I'm not really sure. I know that we use the standard ones more in the US because, the standard crutches have more stability, and they are easier to learn. They are more for short term use, as in an injury. Forearm crutches don't have as much stability and they are much harder to learn how to use, but you can usually move faster with them, so people who need them long term, like for neurological issues, tend to like them better. I hope that helps.
Thanks this helped a lot cuz I just sprained my ankle and I didn't really know how to use them
You're welcome! Good luck.
Thanks for the tips a broke my hip a few days ago while mountain biking
You're welcome.
Thanks I just got my crutches yesterday night and I was wondering why my arms were hurting
You're welcome. Good luck.
I just broke my foot and it’s been so hard getting around so thank you for the tips
You're welcome.
I just sprained 2 ligaments in my left ankle. The thing that bothers me the most is my palms (hands) they hurt and have bruises from putting pressure on them. Any suggestions?
Thanks doc! Sprained my foot badly after car accident where i pushed too hard on brake wgile hydroplaning. Im 26 and first time using crutches. I'm too clumsy to risk using them improperly lol
You're welcome!
I know I'm late, but how do you adjust the handles? Mine are way too long. I fractured my ankle the other day and it is no-weight-bearing injury.
The handles you hold onto should have a screw on the side that you can unscrew, and then move them up.
ok thanks for the help
You're welcome. Good luck.
Thank you that was very helpful
You're welcome.
Thanks im 10 years old and i have crutches so now i can walk on crutches
You're welcome.
Thanks Doctor Jo still learning
You're welcome.
Very useful, thanks!
You're welcome!
Came here after fracturing my foot.
Omg this is so helpful the doctor didn't tell me how to use them thank you so much
You're welcome! Good luck.
Thanks. I’m non weight bearing due to an ankle injury. I need a refresher on how to use them properly. Now I need a video how to care for myself while using crutches. How do I carry a cup or plate of food?
You're welcome. Unfortunately, I don't have a video for that. I used an old walker with a seat in my house when no one else was home to help.