Orthopaedic Surgery - Climbing up and down stairs with crutches - Non Weight Bearing (NWB)

Non Weight Bearing (NWB) means you are not allowed to put your affected leg down on the floor.

Going upstairs

1.    Hold onto handrail with one hand.

2.    Put both crutches in your other hand, in the shape of a cross.

3.    Hold your affected leg out behind you.
 
4.    Push down on rail and crutch, using your arms to help you, hop onto the step.
 

5.    Bring the crutches up onto the step.

Going downstairs

1.    Hold onto handrail with one hand.

2.    Put both crutches in your other hand as above.
3.    Hold your affected leg out in front of you.
4.    Place crutch in middle of step below.

5.    Take your weight onto crutch and rail and gently lower yourself down onto step.

N.B.

• It is advisable to have somebody with you on the stairs until you feel safe
• If you don’t feel safe with the above then you may be able to go up on your bottom. Place a sturdy stool away from the top of the stairs for you to lift yourself onto before standing
• If you don’t have a handrail then use both crutches instead

IF IN DOUBT DON’T DO IT