Get Your Free Guide to Using Crutches Correctly

Understanding When and Why Crutches Are Needed

Crutches serve as temporary or long-term mobility aids for people who cannot bear full weight on one or both legs. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, crutches are commonly prescribed after injuries like ankle sprains, fractures, or surgical procedures. They're also used by people managing chronic conditions that affect walking ability.

Different situations call for crutches. A person recovering from an ACL tear might use them for 4 to 6 weeks. Someone with a compound fracture may need crutches for 8 to 12 weeks or longer. Conditions like arthritis flare-ups, nerve damage, or post-surgical recovery are all reasons a healthcare provider might recommend crutches. The key is that crutches reduce pressure on the injured leg while allowing you to move around safely.

Understanding your specific situation helps you use crutches correctly. Your doctor or physical therapist should explain why you need them and roughly how long you'll use them. This context matters because different injuries have different weight-bearing restrictions. Some people can put partial weight on the injured leg after a few weeks. Others must avoid putting any weight on it for a longer period.

Crutches come in three main types: axillary crutches (underarm crutches), forearm crutches (also called Lofstrand crutches), and platform crutches. Axillary crutches are the most common for short-term injuries. Forearm crutches work well for people who need them longer or who have good upper body strength. Platform crutches are designed for people who cannot grip handles due to arthritis or other hand conditions.

Practical takeaway: Before starting to use crutches, get clear information from your healthcare provider about your weight-bearing status (non-weight bearing, partial weight bearing, or weight bearing as tolerated) and expected duration of use. This determines how you'll move and when you can transition back to normal walking.

Getting the Right Fit and Adjustment

Crutches that don't fit properly cause pain, reduce stability, and slow healing. Incorrect fitting is one of the most common reasons people abandon crutches or develop additional injuries. The good news is that proper fitting takes only a few minutes and makes a significant difference in comfort and safety.

For axillary crutches, the top padding should sit about one to one-and-a-half inches below your armpit when you're standing upright with the crutch tips on the ground. This creates a small gap between your underarm and the crutch pad. Never let the crutch sit directly in your armpit. Putting your full weight on the underarm area can damage nerves and blood vessels, causing numbness or pain that may last weeks after you stop using crutches.

Hand grip height is equally important. When you hold the grip with your arms at your sides, your elbows should bend at about 15 to 20 degrees. Your wrist should be in a neutral position, not bent backward or forward. This arm angle reduces strain on your shoulders and neck during extended use. If the grip is too high, you'll have to reach up, which exhausts your arms. If it's too low, you'll hunch over, which strains your back.

Crutch tips deserve attention too. The rubber tips on the bottom prevent slipping and absorb shock when you walk. Check them regularly for wear and replace them if they're smooth or cracked. Worn tips dramatically increase your fall risk, especially on smooth floors or wet surfaces. Replacement tips cost between $5 and $15 and are available at medical supply stores.

Take time to adjust crutches before you need to use them for extended periods. Stand against a wall for stability while you get used to the feel. Practice shifting your weight and moving the crutches forward. Some people find it helpful to practice in a doorway where they can hold onto the frame if needed.

Practical takeaway: Measure your crutches carefully, focusing on the underarm clearance and elbow bend angle. Have someone watch you from the side to confirm proper positioning. Well-fitted crutches should feel stable and require less effort to use than poorly fitted ones.

Learning the Basic Walking Techniques

Crutch walking involves specific patterns that protect your injured leg while moving safely. The pattern you use depends on your weight-bearing restrictions. Your physical therapist or doctor should demonstrate the correct pattern for your situation, but understanding the basics helps you maintain proper form during recovery.

The "non-weight bearing" pattern is used when you cannot put any weight on your injured leg. This three-point gait works like this: move both crutches forward about 12 inches, then swing your uninjured leg forward, keeping your injured leg lifted slightly off the ground. Your weight stays on the crutches and your uninjured leg. The injured leg moves forward in a swinging motion without touching the floor. This pattern requires significant upper body strength because your arms support most of your body weight.

The "partial weight bearing" pattern allows you to put some weight on your injured leg. This four-point gait involves moving one crutch forward, then the opposite leg, alternating sides. You can gradually increase the weight on your injured leg as directed by your healthcare provider. Some people describe this as a more natural walking rhythm than non-weight bearing.

The "weight bearing as tolerated" pattern gives you flexibility to put as much weight on your injured leg as pain and comfort allow. You might start with minimal weight and gradually increase it over weeks. Movement feels more normal since you're not completely dependent on crutches.

Common mistakes slow healing and increase injury risk. Leaning to the side puts uneven stress on your spine and injured leg. Moving too quickly before you're ready causes falls and re-injury. Not looking ahead while walking increases trip hazards. Taking steps that are too large or too small throws off your balance. Practice these patterns in a safe space like an empty hallway or your home before moving to busier areas.

Speed naturally increases with practice. Most people move slowly with crutches at first—about 0.5 to 1 mile per hour compared to normal walking speed of 3 to 4 miles per hour. This slower pace is normal and actually protects your healing leg.

Practical takeaway: Practice your prescribed walking pattern indoors in a safe environment before tackling stairs, outdoor surfaces, or crowded spaces. Focus on correct form over speed, even if movement feels slow at first.

Navigating Stairs, Ramps, and Obstacles

Stairs present the biggest challenge when using crutches. Many people find stairs more difficult than level walking because they require strength, balance, and coordination while managing crutches. The general rule is: "up with the good leg, down with the bad leg." This rhyme helps you remember the pattern because your uninjured leg bears most of the work when going up, while crutches support you when coming down.

For going up stairs, stand facing the stairs with both crutches in your non-dominant hand. Place your uninjured leg on the first step. Push yourself up with that leg while holding the handrail and crutches. Then swing your injured leg and crutches up to the same step. Move at a steady pace rather than rushing. If you feel unbalanced, move back down and try again. Never force yourself if you feel unstable.

Coming down is slower and more controlled. Hold both crutches in your non-dominant hand and grip the handrail with your other hand. Lower your injured leg and crutches down to the next step, then follow with your uninjured leg. This pattern ensures the crutches and injured leg touch the lower step before you shift your weight onto it. Many people find descending more difficult than ascending because you're essentially lowering your full body weight with your good leg while managing crutches.

If stairs don't have a handrail, ask someone to stand beside or behind you for stability. Never attempt stairs alone without a handrail if you're not completely confident. Falls on stairs cause serious injuries. Some people use alternative routes like ramps or elevators when available, which is a reasonable choice during early recovery.

Ramps are generally easier than stairs. Use a slower pace on ramps and keep your body upright—don't lean backward on the way down or lean forward excessively on the way up. The