Crutch Walking

[caringkay RN]

Please someone should clearify me on this.

If you as an RN is teaching a client with a long leg cast how to use crutches properly while descending a staircase.

1. advance both legs first.

2.advance the unaffected leg first.

3.advance the affected leg first.

4. advance both crutches first

[Sunshine97]

Hie

Good goes to heaven bad goes to Hell is how you should remember this. Meaning good leg up first if ou going up and bad leg goes first when ou going down so your ans is 2. Hope this helps

[jadu1106]

I just remember it like this: up with the good, down with the bad. For this question, since your going down a staircase, it would have to be answer 3.

(but going down with the crutches...hmm?)....I think you would still advance the affected leg first.

Please check for accuracy.

Thanks.

[Sunshine97]

Hie

Sorry typed in 2 by mistake and is 3 since you going down.

[december2905]

i think this video will be a big help...

http://www.iit.edu/~ipro309f06/index_files/page0008.html

[sweetmya]

i think this video will be a big help...

http://www.iit.edu/~ipro309f06/index_files/page0008.html

Oh my god..thanks a lot. This video helped a lot.

But could you tell me what does non-wt bearing means?

And what's 2 point, 3 point and 4 point means?

[caringkay RN]

Thanks everyone, you see the thing is, a question i saw in 3500 RN website , said the answer is that you have to advance with the crutches first when going down the stairs, it's confusing, well thanks since looking at the video, i think going with the crutches first is the rt answer.

[barrjan]

Oh my god..thanks a lot. This video helped a lot.

But could you tell me what does non-wt bearing means?

Body weight not to be applied to affected limb. I don't know what 2, 3, 4 point means I worked in Orthopaedic Trauma in England and they do not use underarm crutches due to injuries i think rotator cuff injuries.

[tanhaight]

Orthopedic Core Curriculum: (which is the bible on this)

4 point gait: Supported/partial WB is permitted on both legs. Safest gait, gives maximal balance b/c there are always 3 pts of contact with the floor. Slow gait b/c it requires constant shifting of weight. Crutches and feet move in alternating sequence.

-Right crutch (most right handed people start with the right)

-Left foot

-Right foot

-Continue to repeat sequence.

2 point gait:

Partial WB permitted on both legs. Faster than 4 point gait b/c there are only 2 pts of contact with floor at a time. Crutch and foot move together in the sequence.

-Right leg and left crutch move forward simultaneously.

-Then left leg and right crutch move forward simultaneously.

-Continue to repeat the sequence.

3 point gait:

No WB to partial WB on affected leg. Fast gait that requires the most strength and balance. Patient must be able to support their entire body weight on their arms. Crutch and foot sequencing.

-The weakest foot (no WB or toe touch WB) and both crutches move forward simultaneously.

-The stronger leg then moves forward, while the persons body weight is supported on the crutches (affected leg may be used for balance if partial WB is allowed)

-Continue to repeat the sequence.

Hope this helps!

[sweetmya]

thanks! Im trying to picture all the diff. gaits but I just don't understand them. Im a visual person I guess. Do you think I could find videos on this?

[PennyNickelDime_RN]

I believe you mentioned in a previous post that your purchased Kaplan online? If so, it has video clips of how to walk with crutches as well as other assistive devices. Hope this helps.

[ChineseRN]

:yeah:Great video!