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OWWIE!! Anyone know how to use crutches going downstairs?

I ran into my dining table the other night, broke my foot and my li'l toe.. supposed to be off my feet for at least a week; problem: my place is 3-story.. going downstairs is next-to impossible; upstairs a pain, too. Anyone know how I'm supposed to do this? I live alone so can't always send someone else to the kitchen, etc..

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  • 2 decades ago
    Favorite Answer

    We have a little saying: 'up with the good, down with the bad.'

    To elaborate: when going up the stairs, use the bannister on one side and one crutch on the other. Step up with the good leg first, taking most of the weight on the bannister, only using the crutch to steady you. Then step up with the bad leg.

    When going down stairs: place the crutch on the next step down, take your weight on the bannister and step down with the bad leg, quickly followed by the good leg (while keeping your balance).

    Only do one step at a time, never foot over foot (like you would normally). You will end up breaking you neck if you do this!!

    If in doubt, don't try it. Go up and down stairs while sitting down. Take a rest on each landing if you need to.

    Source(s): 15 years experience as a physical therapist and sports massage therapist.
  • 2 decades ago

    We have a two-story, so when I broke my leg, going upI leaned to my good side and placed the opposite crutch one step ahead and it was just like walking. Goin downstairs is hard though! Try it the same way as goin up though it took me a while to. Hope U can walk soon.

  • 2 decades ago

    It is a hard thing to manuever up and down stairs with crutches. Hopefully you have rails on both sides of the stairs. Try using only 1 crutch as your outside support and the railing to support the bulk of your weight.

  • 2 decades ago

    You have to put both your crutches on the next step, and go to the step after that. So if you're on Step 1, put crutches on step 2 going down and put foot on step 3.

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  • Anonymous
    2 decades ago

    Use one crutch going downstairs and use the banister if you have one for the other hand. This will help give you control over your momentum. Getting back up just do the reverse.

  • Anonymous
    2 decades ago

    very carefully. hold on the handrail and hop down one step at a time.

  • 2 decades ago

    if your balance isn't that great you could go up and down on your bum.

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