Partial weight bearing: A guide for patients

How do I stand from a seated position?

• Hold both your crutches in the opposite hand to your injured leg.
• Push up from the chair with the other hand; keep your injured leg off the ground.
• Once standing, transfer one crutch into the other hand.
• Put both crutches in front of you and get your balance.

How do I walk?

• Put both crutches forward.
• Put your injured leg forward.
• Take the majority of your weight on to your hands and step further through with your non-injured leg.
• Put both crutches forward and repeat.

How do I sit down?

• Have the chair immediately behind you.
• Put both crutches into the opposite hand to your injured leg.
• Hold the chair arm with the other hand.
• Sit down gently.

How do I get up steps and stairs?

• When attempting steps, always use a handrail if possible, holding both crutches in one hand.
• If you have no hand rail, for example kerbs, use both crutches.
• Put your non-injured leg onto the step first.
• Step up with your injured leg and then bring your crutches up on to the same step.

How do I get down steps and stairs?

• Put your crutches down onto the step below.
• Step down with your injured leg.
• Take most of your weight onto your hands.
• Step down onto the same step with your non-injured leg.

Please note that crutches will be fitted appropriately in the unit and should not be adjusted in any way by the patient. If you have any problems, please contact us.