Use of Crutches: Parent/Carer discharge safety information

Introduction

Your child has been discharged home with crutches. This leaflet will provide you with information on how your child can use their crutches safely. Your crutches have been measured to your child’s specific height. Please do not adjust the height and do not allow anyone else to use the crutches.  If you have any questions or if there is anything you do not understand about this leaflet, please contact:

Children’s Assessment Unit on 02476 865 631
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust switchboard number: 02476 351 351

How to use crutches

To stand from seated:

• Hold both crutches in one hand.
• Push up from the chair/bed.
• Once standing, transfer one crutch into the other hand
• Put the crutches in front of your shoulder width apart and gain your balance.

To sit down:

• Ensure the chair / bed is immediately behind you and you can feel it with the back of your legs.
• Remove both arms from crutches. Place crutches together in one hand (usually on your good side)
• Reach back and hold the bed/chair with the free hand sliding the affected leg in front.
• Sit down gently.

Walking whilst on crutches – NOT ALLOWED to put weight on injured limb:

• Keep the affected leg off the ground by holding in slightly in front or behind you and find your balance.
• The crutches should be moved forward one pace forward and shoulder width apart.
• Lean weight onto hands and hop on the non-affected leg up to the crutches keeping your weight forward and affected leg off the ground.

Walking whilst on crutches – ALLOWED to put weight on injured limb:

• Stand on both legs and move the crutches one pace forward shoulder width apart.
• Put your injured leg one step forward in between your crutches.
• Try to take some weight through your crutches when stepping forward.
• Follow with the non-injured leg.

Using crutches on stairs:

• Please sit on the stairs whilst holding onto the staircase and push yourself up or lower yourself down the stairs. Crutches should only be used on the stairs once assessed by a physiotherapist.

George Eliot Hospital is a smoke free environment. For help and advice to stop smoking you can call the national helpline on 0300 123 1044 or visit https://fitterfutures.everyonehealth.co.uk/stop-smoking-service/ ​​​​​​. You can also call the local telephone number for the Warwickshire service on 0333 005 0092 or Coventry service on 0800 112 3780.

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