How to Use Crutches: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Most people get handed a pair of crutches with about thirty seconds of instruction and sent on their way. This guide covers the parts that actually matter in your first week, whether you’re on standard underarm crutches or forearm crutches.

Fit them before you take a step

Bad fit causes most crutch pain. Get this right first:

• Underarm crutches: the top pad should sit 1–2 inches below your armpit when you stand tall, and the handgrip should land at your wrist crease with a slight bend in the elbow.
• Forearm crutches: the cuff sits 1–2 inches below the elbow; the grip lands at the wrist crease. See how to size forearm crutches.

The single most important habit: carry your weight through your hands, not your armpits. Leaning on the armpit pads can pinch the nerves there. The pads are for stability, the grips are for weight.

Standing up and getting balanced

Push up from the chair with your good leg and one hand on the armrest, holding both crutches in your other hand. Once you’re up and steady, place a crutch under each arm and find your balance before moving.

The basic walk

1. Move both crutch tips a comfortable step ahead (not too far, or they slip).
2. Shift your weight onto the grips through your hands.
3. Swing your good leg forward between or just past the crutches, keeping the injured leg off the ground (or lightly down if you’re partial-weight-bearing).
4. Repeat in a smooth rhythm. Look ahead, not at your feet.

How much weight you put on the injured leg depends on your injury. Your physical therapist will tell you whether you’re non-weight-bearing or partial-weight-bearing, follow that exactly.

Sitting down

Back up until you feel the seat against your good leg. Move both crutches to one hand, reach back for the chair with the other, and lower yourself slowly using your good leg.

Stairs

Stairs have their own method and cause the most falls. Read how to use crutches on stairs before you try them. The shorthand: good leg up first, injured leg and crutches down first.

Save your hands

Long recoveries get derailed by sore hands and wrists. Padded grips and a well-built pair make a real difference, see crutches that don’t hurt your hands.

Get a pair that fits your situation

If you’re buying your own, the right design depends on your injury, weight, and how long you’ll be on them. Take the quiz for a match, or see our best forearm crutches picks.

This is general information, not medical advice. Your physical therapist or surgeon’s weight-bearing instructions override anything here, ask them to check your technique.