How to walk with crutches without weight on the injured leg
How to walk with crutches without weight on the injured leg
- Keep the injured leg bent and off the ground.
- Set the crutches at arm's length in front of you.
Don't lean forward to reach farther.
- Move your weak or injured leg forward, almost even with the crutches.
- Bend your elbows slightly.
Press the padded top parts of the crutches against your sides, under your armpits.
- Push straight down on the handgrips as you bring your good leg up, so it is even with the weak or injured leg.
Keep all the weight on your hands and not on your underarms.
- Repeat.
When you are 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.
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
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