Walking full weight bearing with crutches or frame

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General Advice:
• Full weight bearing means that you are allowed to put all your weight through your affected leg
• If your walking pattern has been affected by your operation you may need a walking aid to help you correct this
• Keep your leg elevated when you are sitting down
• Keep your toes and ankle moving to keep the blood circulating around your leg
• It is very important that you walk as normally as possible

Standing up from the chair:
1. Hold the crutches with the handles together in an ‘H’ shape.
2. Place one hand on the arm of the chair and the other on the handle of the crutches
3. Push up from the chair using both legs
4. Place one hand in the crutches and hold the two handles. Place the other hand in the crutches and split the crutches apart

Sitting Down:
1. When sitting down, make sure that you feel for the chair on the back of both of your legs
2. Place your affected leg out in front of you
3. Take hands out of the crutches and hold handles in ‘H’ shape in one hand (as for 1). Place one hand on the arm of the chair
4. Now sit down

Walking with crutches:
1. Place the crutches apart in front of you
2. Move affected leg in line with the rubber bits (ferrules) on the end of the crutches putting your heel down first
3. Step good leg past your affected leg
4. Move elbow crutches forward as for 1
5. You must keep a triangle between your good foot and the ferrules. This is the most stable position

Standing up with a frame:
1. Push up using your hands on the arms of your chair to stand
2. Once you have your balance let go of the chair to hold your frame

Sitting down with a frame:
1. Before sitting down make sure that you can feel the chair on the back of your legs
2. Let go of the frame one hand at a time to hold onto the arms of the chair
3. Lower yourself into the chair

Mobilising with a frame:
1. Push the frame forwards.
2. Step forwards with your affected leg.
3. Push the frame forwards again making sure there is always a gap between the frame and your stomach.
4. Step your good leg past your affected leg.
5. Push the frame forwards again as in stage 1 and continue.