How to Walk With a Single Crutch

If you ever fracture a bone in your foot or leg, suffer a stroke, or undergo surgery on one of your lower limbs, you may need to use a single crutch. Using your single crutch properly will help you heal and get to your destination safely. Crutches can accelerate the healing of certain injuries by lessening the force of your weight while you are standing or walking, thereby speeding your recovery time.

Things You'll Need

• Set of crutches

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Position your crutch under your armpit opposite your weaker/fractured leg, and push it to the side of your body. Grasp the wrist pad of the crutch firmly with your hand. You should have a 1-inch gap between your armpit and the top of the crutch, and your elbow should have a slight bend in it.

• 2

  Move your crutch 1 foot ahead of your body, and step with your weaker leg simultaneously. Squeeze your crutch close to your body for balance and support.

• 3

  Support your weight on both your crutch and your weaker leg using your hand. Do not lean with your armpit on the top of the crutch. Doing so can cause nerve damage that will affect the sensation and strength in your arms.

• 4

  Step forward with your stronger leg, and make sure you check your balance before moving forward.

• 5

  Repeat steps 2 to 4; i.e., step forward with crutch and weaker/fractured leg, then step forward with your stronger leg.