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Guidelines and tips
Guidelines and tips

Orthopedic Tips: Crutches, Canes and Walkers, Study notes of Nursing

Tips for using crutches, canes, and walkers for people with injuries or disabilities. It explains how to adjust the height of crutches and canes, how to walk with them, and how to climb stairs. It also describes different types of crutch walking, such as three-point and four-point crutch walking. likely intended for healthcare professionals or patients who need to use crutches, canes, or walkers.

Typology: Study notes

2020/2021

Available from 12/14/2022

Iperez0606
Iperez0606 🇺🇸

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Orthopedic Tips: Crutches, Canes and Walkers
Crutches
The top of the crutches should reach to 1-1 1/2 inches below the armpit while the
client is standing up straight. The handgrips of the crutches should be even with the
top of your client’s hips. The elbows should bend a bit when using the handgrips.
Don’t let the tops of the crutches press into the client’s armpits.
When the client is going up stairs, the client should lead up with the good foot,
keeping the injured foot raised behind them. When the client is going down stairs,
hold the injured foot up in front, and hop down each stair on the good foot.
Three Point crutch walking: Client has to bear weight on the uninjured foot and
both crutches. The affected leg does not touch the ground.
Four point crutch walking: Client has to bear weight on both legs and both
crutches. Each leg is moved in sequence with the opposite crutch… the right leg
with the left crutch or the left leg and the right crutch.
Canes
The top of the cane should reach to the crease in the client’s wrist when the client
is standing up straight. The elbow should bend a bit when the client holds the cane.
Hold the cane in the hand opposite the side that needs support. (See “COAL”
below)
When the client walks, the cane and the injured leg swing and strike the ground at
the same time.
To climb stairs, the client should grasp the handrail (if one is available) and step up
on the good leg first, with the cane in the hand opposite the injured leg. Then
step up on the injured leg.
To come DOWN stairs, put the cane on the step first, then the injured leg, and
finally the good leg, which carries the client’s body weight.
Cane
Opposite
Affected
Leg
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Orthopedic Tips: Crutches, Canes and Walkers

Crutches

  • The top of the crutches should reach to 1-1 1/2 inches below the armpit while the client is standing up straight. The handgrips of the crutches should be even with the top of your client’s hips. The elbows should bend a bit when using the handgrips. Don’t let the tops of the crutches press into the client’s armpits.
  • When the client is going up stairs, the client should lead up with the good foot, keeping the injured foot raised behind them. When the client is going down stairs, hold the injured foot up in front, and hop down each stair on the good foot.
  • Three Point crutch walking: Client has to bear weight on the uninjured foot and both crutches. The affected leg does not touch the ground.
  • Four point crutch walking: Client has to bear weight on both legs and both crutches. Each leg is moved in sequence with the opposite crutch… the right leg with the left crutch or the left leg and the right crutch.

Canes

  • The top of the cane should reach to the crease in the client’s wrist when the client is standing up straight. The elbow should bend a bit when the client holds the cane. Hold the cane in the hand opposite the side that needs support. (See “COAL” below)
  • When the client walks, the cane and the injured leg swing and strike the ground at the same time.
  • To climb stairs, the client should grasp the handrail (if one is available) and step up on the good leg first, with the cane in the hand opposite the injured leg. Then step up on the injured leg.
  • To come DOWN stairs, put the cane on the step first, then the injured leg, and finally the good leg, which carries the client’s body weight.

Cane Opposite Affected Leg

Walkers

  • The client should use their arms to support some of the weight. The top of the walker should match the crease in the client’s wrist when the client is standing up straight.
  • First, the client should put the walker about one step ahead of them- selves, making sure the legs of the walker are level to the ground. With both hands, grip the top of the walker for support and walk into it, stepping off on your injured leg. Touch the heel of this foot to the ground first, then flatten the foot and finally lift the toes off the ground as the client makes a complete step with the good leg.
  • To sit, the client should back up until his/her legs touch the chair. The client should then reach back to feel the seat before he/she sits down.
  • To get up from a chair, the client should push himself/herself up and grasp the walker’s grips. Never try to climb stairs or use an escalator with a walker.

Walk With Affected Leg