Orthopaedic Surgery - Climbing up and down stairs with a walking aid - Partial Weight Bearing (PWB)

Partial or Full Weight Bearing

Partial weight bearing (PWB) means you are allowed to put your affected leg down with part of your weight on it.

Full weight bearing (FWB) means you are allowed to put your affected leg down with your full weight on it.

Going upstairs

1.    Hold onto handrail with one hand.

2.    Place walking aid in other hand (if you have two walking aids hold them in the shape of a cross).
 
3.    Step up with your unaffected leg first.

4.    Push down on rail and walking aid and step up with your affected leg.

5.    Bring walking aid onto the same step.

Going downstairs

1.    Hold onto handrail with one hand.

2.    Place walking aid in other hand (if you have two aids – proceed as above).
3.    Place walking aid in middle of step below.

4.    Take your weight onto walking aid and rail and step down with your affected leg.

5.    Then step down with your unaffected leg.

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 advice 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 elbow crutches instead

IF IN DOUBT DON’T DO IT