This video will show you how to use your crutches to go up and down stairs, how to move through a doorway, and how to get in and out of a motor vehicle.
How to Use Crutches on Stairs, Through Doorways, and In and Out of CarsThis video will show you how to use your crutches to go up and down stairs, how to move through a doorway, and how to get in and out of a motor vehicle.Let's start with going up and down stairs.Remember this rule: Up with the good leg and down with the injured leg.To go up a staircase, hold the handrail with one hand. Put both crutches in the other hand. Support your weight evenly between the handrail and your crutches.Put some weight on the crutches, then step up with your unaffected foot. Get your balance, then straighten your unaffected leg and lift your body weight.Bring the crutches and your injured leg up to the same step. Put weight on the crutches, and take the next step with your unaffected foot.Continue on up the stairs.To go down stairs, hold the handrail with one hand. Put both crutches in the other hand.Bend your unaffected knee, moving your crutches and injured leg down a step. Support your weight evenly between the handrail and your crutches.Slowly bring your unaffected leg down to the same step. Don't hop. Then bend your unaffected knee, moving your crutches and injured leg down another step.Continue on down the stairs.Now we'll show you how to move through a doorway.To push a door open, stand sideways and push the door with your body. Walk through the opening as you would normally with crutches.To pull a door open, stand to the side. Get your balance and pull the door fully open with one hand. Plant the tip of the nearest crutch inside the door to act as a doorstop. Leave the crutch in place until you have walked through.Avoid revolving doors. Instead, use entrances designed for people with disabilities.Next, we'll show you how to get into a motor vehicle.With the door open, back up until you feel the car seat with the back of your leg. Hold the crutches in the hand on your affected side.Use the doorjamb or the dashboard for support as you lower yourself to the seat. Watch your head.Don't hold onto the car door, or it may close on you.With your hands, lift your injured leg into the vehicle. Or use your unaffected leg to hook your injured leg behind the ankle and lift it in.To get out of the vehicle, reverse these steps.
Author: Sinovic, Dianna
Online Medical Reviewer: Foley, Maryann, RN, BSN
Online Medical Reviewer: Turley, Ray, BSN, MSN
Date Last Reviewed: 07/01/2021
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