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In this video, Dr. Clanton discusses how to walk with crutches and how to size crutches. It is important for patients to follow the protocol provided by their doctor office.
The first part with crutches is to make sure that they are sized correctly for the patients height. Crutches should not be all the way under the armpits. The crutches should be a hands width between the top of the crutch and the armpit.
As the patient walks with the crutches, they want to hold the upper arm of the crutch against the ribs. The elbows should be bent slightly. When walking without weight, the patient puts the crutches out and then hop forward and repeat to move forward.
When you are partial weight bearing on crutches the movement is slightly different. The crutch and foot go on the ground at the same time and step forward. Partial weight is calculated using a bathroom scale to monitor the pressure placed through the boot.
When the patient is ready to apply 50 percent of weight, the patient can go to one crutch. The crutch will go on the opposite side of the injured extremity. With the affected foot, you lean to the crutch and then step through and repeat. When the protocol calls for 100 percent weight bearing, patients no longer need to use the crutches.
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