1. Put both crutches about 12 inches in front of you.

   The crutches and your feet should form a triangle. Hold the crutches close enough to your body so you can push straight down on them, but leave room between the crutches for your body to pass through. Don't lean forward to reach farther.

2. Put your weight on the handgrips, not on the pads under your arms.

   Constant pressure against your underarms can cause numbness.

3. Move your weak or injured leg forward so it's almost even with the crutches.
4. Bring your good leg up, so it's even with your weak or injured leg.
5. Move your crutches about 12 inches in front of you, and start the next step.

When you're confident using the crutches, you can move the crutches and your injured leg at the same time. Then push straight down on the crutches as you step past the crutches with your strong leg, as you would in normal walking.