Emergency and Urgent Care - Crutches

Introduction

You have sustained an injury to your leg, ankle or foot and you currently require crutches to mobilise.

The crutches have been provided and fitted for you during your visit to the department and the clinician has given you verbal instructions on how to use and walk with the crutches.

This information leaflet will provide you with advice on how to walk with your crutches.

Why do I need crutches?

Crutches are given to assist with balance, take weight off the legs, reduce pain and to improve confidence when walking.

You will be advised during your visit why you require the crutches, how long to use them for and whether you should be partial weight bearing or non weight bearing.

Partial weight bearing is where you are allowed to put weight on your injured leg. Non weight bearing is where you are NOT allowed to put weight on your injured leg.

How to use crutches

To stand up

• Hold both crutches in one hand
• Push up from the chair with the other hand
• Once standing put one crutch in each hand
• Place the crutches in front of you and shoulder width apart to get your balance

To sit down

• Ensure a chair is immediately behind you
• Hold both crutches in one hand
• With the other hand hold onto the chair behind you and sit down gently

It is important not to sit down or stand with your arms in the crutches as this can make you off balance which could lead to further injuries and potentially cause damage to your shoulders.

Walking – partial weight bearing

Follow these instructions to walk with your crutches if you have been told you can put weight on your injured leg.

• Stand on both legs and move the crutches one step in front of you. Ensure the crutches are placed shoulder width apart
• Step forward first with the injured leg and put the foot down just behind the crutches
• Lean your weight onto the crutches through your arms and step forward with your good leg slightly in front of the crutches
• Repeat

Walking – non weight bearing

Follow these instructions to walk with your crutches if you have been told NOT to put weight on your injured leg.

• Keep your injured leg off the ground by holding it slightly behind with your knee bent
• Move the crutches together one step forward
• Lean your weight onto the crutches through your arms and hop up to the crutches using your good leg
• Repeat

Stairs

We advise that you do not use your crutches whilst on stairs as they are likely to cause further injuries.

The best way to go up and down stairs whilst using crutches is on your bottom whilst carrying both crutches in one hand.

It may take a little while to get used to walking with the crutches, this is normal.

How to care for the crutches

Your crutches will have been fitted correctly to your height whilst in the department.

The hand section should be in line with your hip. They should not need readjusting after leaving the department.

If the crutches get dirty, they are wipeable and therefore can be wiped down with soapy water.

Work

If you do not feel capable of going to work due to either pain or reduced movement, you are able to self-certify sickness for 7 days.

You must complete a self-certification form found on the government website and give this to your employer. This entitles you to statutory sick pay from your employer for up to 7 days.

To access the link to the self-certification form please go to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory- sickpay-employees-statement-of-sickness-sc2

If you feel you need longer than 7 days off work, you must contact your GP for a sick note. We cannot provide sick notes from the Urgent Treatment Centre.

If your GP is based within the Rochdale borough they will have received a notification of attendance from us detailing your diagnosis.

Returning your crutches

When you receive your crutches they will be booked out of the department for the length of time advised.

We ask when you finish using the crutches that you return them to the department where they can be cleaned, refurbished and then reused by other patients.

If you have not returned the crutches you may receive a reminder letter to your home address asking you to return them.

If you are still using the crutches please contact the department and your crutches can be booked out for longer.

If you have any problems contact:

Rochdale Urgent Treatment Centre on 01706 517023.