Crutches are an essential “tool” for orthopedic patients in the late rehabilitation process, but not all patients will use crutches, often see patients due to the use of the wrong method, resulting in nerve damage and wrist weakness; there are also patients should not throw the crutches method, resulting in both legs are not the same length, walking with a limp, Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital’s experts Tell you the correct method.
A, the use of crutches before the matters needing attention.
1, stand up straight, hold the crutches handle with both hands to support your weight, crutches feet away from your feet about 10-500px;
2, adjust the crutches to the right height, the top of the crutches from the armpit about 2-3 finger width, remember not to use the armpit top on the crutches, because there are important vascular nerves through the armpit to avoid pressure damage;
3, the crutch handle position needs to be adjusted to the wrist level when the arms are naturally down, when you use the crutch support, the elbow joint can be properly bent;
4, in order to avoid long-term crutch support caused by pelvic tilt, legs are not equal length, it is not recommended to use a single crutch.
Note: The doctor will guide you on the degree of weight-bearing of the affected leg when using double crutches according to the actual situation, with reference to the following listed ways.
1.No weight-bearing: i.e., no force on the affected leg, keep your affected leg off the ground;
2.Light weight-bearing: you can use the sole of your foot to touch the ground to maintain balance;
3.Partial weight-bearing: you can share part of your body weight to the affected leg, a handful of 1/3~1/2 of your body weight;
4.Tolerable weight-bearing: most of the weight or even all of the weight is put on the affected foot, which can be tolerated;
5, full weight bearing: completely weight bearing, as long as no pain.
Second, crutches walking.
1, the crutches will be supported on both sides of the feet to the side, keep the body stable;
2, do not use your armpits directly on top of the crutches, straighten the elbows, with both hands to support the weight;
3, both crutches move forward at the same time;
4, move the affected leg forward in the same plane between the two crutches;
5.Swing your normal leg forward and place it in front of the crutches;
6, repeat over and over again, you can walk forward (crutches → affected leg → normal leg).
Tips: follow the crutches with both legs, the affected leg goes first, the good leg follows.
Third, get up and stand.
1, before you are ready to stand, please make sure that the chair or bed is stable and firm;
2.Support the normal leg on the ground and move your body forward to the edge of the chair or bed;
3, in the two crutches together, with the affected leg side of the hand to hold the crutch handle, the healthy side of the hand to hold the armrest of the chair or the edge of the bed;
4, both hands together to support the force, while your normal leg force to stand up, to maintain a stable stand.
Note: Before you start walking, make sure you are standing firmly before you place the crutches on either side of your body.
IV. Sitting down.
1, the body slowly backward until the normal side of the leg touches the edge of the chair or bed;
2. Keep your weight on the normal leg and bring the crutches together;
3, with the affected leg side of the hand to hold the crutch handle, the healthy side of the hand to the edge of the chair or bed, and then bend the healthy side of the knee, slowly sit down;
4.Sit slowly, keeping the crutches next to the chair at all times.
Note: Unless the physician allows the affected leg to be partially weight-bearing, the downward sitting process must still keep the affected leg off the floor without force.