If your healthcare provider has suggested you use crutches, these suggestions will help you use them correctly. Crutches are used after a leg or foot injury or disability. Sometimes after an injury poor balance and weakness occurs. Crutches offer support when full weight cannot be placed on your leg. Crutches will help you get around more safely and with less pain. You will be less likely to hurt yourself.

Crutches must be fitted to you. Stand up straight and check to make sure:
* You can fit four fingers between the top of your crutches and your armpit.
* Your elbow is slightly bent at about 30 degrees.
* You support your weight with your hands, not your armpits. You could cause nerve damage if you lean on them.
* You carry your belongings in a backpack.

Practice standing and keeping your balance before walking. There are a number of different ways to walk with crutches. Your health care provider will tell you how much weight you are allowed to put down when you walk. Here is a technique that is safe for most weight-bearing directions.
* Standing on your uninjured leg, place the crutches about 12 inches in front of your feet and 12 inches to the side of your feet.
* Supporting your weight with your hands, swing your body forward to just between your crutches. Going farther is faster, but requires more balance to stay safe.
* Your strongest or uninjured leg lands first. Put your other foot down with the pressure you are allowed.

When using stairs remember this saying, "Up with the good and down with the bad". This will help you remember which leg goes first.
* Going up: Step up with your uninjured leg before bringing the crutches and injured leg up.
* Going down: Place your crutches on the step below and extend your injured leg down. Step down with your strong leg last.

Practice with someone helping you until you feel comfortable.

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