Going home after your visit
Using your crutches
How to walk safely with elbow crutches while your leg gets better.
You have been given crutches to take the weight off your injured leg. Here is how to use them safely until you are back to normal.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Get advice if any of these happen
Come back to A&E or an urgent treatment centre, or call 111 — and do not wait for the ones marked below.
- Numbness, tingling or pain in your hands or arms
- You find you are leaning on your armpits, not your hands
- Increasing pain or swelling in the injured leg or foot
- Numbness or a colour change in the injured leg or foot
- Toes that turn pale, blue or cold — get seen the same day
- Calf pain, swelling, warmth or redness (possible clot)
CALL 999 Call 999 if you feel breathless or have sudden chest pain, as a clot can travel to the lungs.
Walking with crutches
- Set the height so the handles are level with your wrists when your arms hang down, with a slight bend at the elbow.
- Take your weight through your hands, not your armpits.
- Move both crutches and your injured leg forward together, then step through with your good leg.
- Take small, steady steps.
- Wear sturdy, flat shoes.
Stairs
- Going up: lead with your good leg first, then bring up the crutches and injured leg (“good leg up”).
- Going down: put the crutches and injured leg down first, then your good leg (“bad leg down”).
- Use a handrail if there is one, holding both crutches in your other hand.
Looking after yourself
Rest and raise your injured leg when you can. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you are able to. Practise on the flat before trying stairs or slopes, and clear loose rugs and clutter at home so you do not trip. Your crutches should feel easier with practice.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above