1. sports
2. walking

Regularly inspect crutches
for wear. Check for:
• Bent or damaged tubes.
• Loose rivets (bolts) on handle and
cuff.
• Elongated or stressed adjustment
holes.
• Worn, spilt or loose ferrules (rubber
cap at the end of crutches).
• Splayed (spread out) or damaged
cuffs.
• Both spring buttons present.
If you have any difficulty with any of
the above please contact the Therapy
& Dietetic Services on the telephone
number on the back of this leaflet.
Ferrules easily wear out. Please
regularly check for worn, spilt or
loose ferrules and contact Therapy
& Dietetic Services immediately if
they need replacing.
• Regular cleaning with mild
disinfectant is recommended.
• Do not store in sub-zero
temperatures.
The Physiotherapy Department is
open Monday to Friday, from 8.30
am to 4.30 pm. Please return the
crutches to the department when
these are no longer needed.
Please contact the Therapy & Dietetic
Services if you are experiencing
difficulties using the crutches
Tel: 0161 701 2640
5
No Smoking Policy
The NHS has a responsibility for the
nation’s health.
Protect yourself, patients, visitors and
staff by adhering to our no smoking
policy. Smoking is not permitted within
any of our hospital buildings or grounds.
Royal Manchester
Children’s Hospital
The Manchester Stop Smoking Service
can be contacted on Tel: (0161) 205 5998
(www.stopsmokingmanchester.co.uk).
The Use
Of Crutches
Translation and Interpretation Service
Do you have difficulty speaking or understanding English?
% 0161 276 6202/6342
Children’s Physiotherapy
Therapy & Dietetic Services
Royal Manchester
Children’s Hospital
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL
Tel: 0161 701 2640
Fax: 0161 701 5052
Monday-Friday – 8.30 am-4.30 pm
www.cmft.nhs.uk
© Copyright to Central Manchester University Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust
TIG 10/11 Produced May 2009 Review May 2011 (SF Taylor CM2631)
Children’s Physiotherapy –
Therapy & Dietetic Services
The use of crutches
After having your crutches measured
and checked by a Physiotherapist or
qualified Nurse, please follow these
instructions carefully!
Sitting to standing
• Whilst sitting, hold both crutches by
the handles in one hand.
• To stand, push up on the crutches
whilst pushing down with your other
hand on a stable chair.
• Once standing, arrange the crutches
in your other hand.
• To sit down repeat as above but the
opposite way round.
Walking for non-weight bearing
• Stand on your good leg.
• Place your crutches a short distance
in front of you and a shoulder width
apart, push down on your crutches
with your hands. (If using underarm
crutches squeeze crutches into the
side of your chest by using your
upper arms).
• Take a small hop forwards with your
good leg to land either behind or in
front of your crutches.
Repeat.
Walking for partially
weight bearing
• Simultaneously place your crutches
a short distance in front of you at
shoulder distance apart and step
forward with your bad leg.
• Push down on your crutches to
support your bad leg and step
through with your good one.
Repeat.
Stairs
The safest way to go up and down
stairs is on your bottom. Ask somebody
to carry your crutches. If you are well
practised, have good balance and
strong arms you can use your crutches.
Going upstairs
• Stand at the bottom of the stairs.
• Hold onto the bannister if available
and support yourself on the other
side with one crutch.
• Get somebody to bring the other
crutch for you if you cannot hold
both with one hand.
• Keep your crutch with your bad leg
at all times.
• Hop up onto the first step with your
good leg, pushing down onto the
bannister and crutch with your hands.
Once steady follow with your crutch
and bad leg. (Keep your bad leg off
the floor if non-weight bearing).
Going downstairs
• Stand at the top of the staircase
holding the bannister and crutch
as previously stated.
• Place your crutch onto the first
step whilst holding onto the
bannister.
• Step down with your bad leg,
pushing down onto the crutch and
bannister with your hands. (Do not
put any weight onto your bad leg if
non-weight bearing).
• Step down with your good leg.
Repeat.
Going upstairs good leg goes first.
Going downstairs bad leg and crutch
first. If unsure go up and down on
your bottom.
General safety
• Use a chair with high seat arms to
help you sit and stand with ease.
• Remove obstacles such as loose rugs.
• Ensure there is adequate lighting so
you can see where you are going.
• Wear flat, supportive shoes and
tie shoelaces.
• Avoid wet floors.
• Beware of outdoor hazards
including uneven surfaces, wet
leaves and ice.
Repeat.
• Stand on both legs using your
crutches for support.
2
3
4