Correct Way to Use a Walker With One Leg

If you have had a leg amputated, you will probably use a walker while your wound heals and you wait to be fitted with a prosthesis. It is important that you learn the correct way to use a walker so that you do not fall and injure yourself, making your recovery period longer.

Standing Up

• The first thing you must learn to do is stand up. To stand up, slide to the front center of the chair or surface on which you are sitting. Your walker should be in front of you, and you should be centered within the walker frame. Bend forward at the hips and place your hands on the armrests of the chair. Keep your amputated leg slightly forward. Using the muscles of your stomach, thighs, buttocks and arms, lift yourself into a standing position, balancing your weight between your intact leg and your hands. As you reach an upright position, place your hands on the walker hand grips. To sit down, repeat these steps in reverse.

Walking

• When you are walking, keep your body centered within the walker frame. Your weight should be balanced between your hands and your intact leg. Allow your weight to shift onto your intact leg while you move your walker forward about one foot, either by rolling it forward or lifting it up and placing it down. Push down on the walker hand grips as you shift your weight forward onto your hands to support yourself. Take a step forward, keeping yourself centered within the walker frame. Repeat the process for your next step. It might help to think of walking as a four step process: weight back, walker forward, weight forward, step.

Curbs and Sidewalks

• As you walk, you may find you need to step up or down off a curb or sidewalk. When you can, look for a mini-ramp cut into the curb, called a "curb cut," and go up and down there. To step up on a curb, use the following steps. Walk as close as possible up against the edge of the curb, then lift your walker up on the edge of the curb. Take a step up on the curb just as you would if you were taking a step forward while walking: push down on the hand grips, placing your weight on your hands as you lift your foot and step up onto the curb, remembering to remain centered in the walker frame. Make sure that your intact foot is firmly placed on the curb, so that when you place your weight on it to step forward you do not fall backward off the curb. Reverse these steps to step down off a curb or sidewalk. Your first step down should be as close to the curb as possible. If your daily activities require you to regularly confront stairs, talk with your physical therapist about the best way to approach them.