3 point gait crutch walking up stairs

When climbing up and down steps, remember this rule: Up with the good (unaffected leg) and down with the bad (affected leg). Note: If you’re supposed to keep all weight off your leg (non–weight-bearing), ask your healthcare provider for special instructions.

Índice Show

Precautions for using stairs
Down stairs
Tips for Going Up the Stairs on Crutches
Tips for Going Down the Stairs on Crutches
Bonus Tips for Climbing Stairs with Crutches
Climbing narrow steps without railings
What is 3 point gait crutch walking?
What is the correct method of going up stairs when using crutches?
How do you use 3 point gait crutches?
Is 3 point gait weight

Tip: Ask a friend to carry one of your crutches while you climb or descend stairs.

Precautions for using stairs

Always use an elevator if one is available.
Have someone guard you as you learn to use stairs. A guard stands below you. He or she holds your belt (or a special “gait belt” you can borrow or buy) to assist you if you lose your balance.
When there is no handrail, keep one crutch under each arm. Follow the instructions above.
If the stairs are slippery or steep, it may be safer to lift or lower yourself from step to step while sitting. Hold both your crutches in one hand as you do so.

Up stairs

Hold the handrail with one hand.
If a friend is not available to carry one of the crutches, put both crutches in your other hand.
Support your weight evenly between the handrail and your crutches.
Put some weight on the crutches.
Step up with your unaffected foot.
Get your balance.
Straighten your unaffected knee and lift your body weight.
Bring your crutches and affected leg up.

Down stairs

Hold the handrail with one hand.
If a friend is not available to carry one of the crutches, put both crutches in your other hand.
Bend your unaffected knee, moving your crutches and affected leg down.
Support your weight evenly between the handrail and your crutches.
Slowly bring your unaffected leg down.
Don’t hop.

November 1, 2018 Thomas Fetterman

Here's how to use crutches on the stairs:

Approach the stairs and have your therapist stand by for safety until confident of abilities.
Keep crutches down on lower level and do not place upward on the steps. Push down hard on the crutches with your arms. This lifts the body upward.
Then, step up first with your strong leg to the first step!
Bring up your weak leg and crutches to the same step as the strong leg.
Crutches and both legs should now be on the same step.
Repeat sequence from Step 3 again.
To come down the stairs, lower the crutches down to the next step.
The strong good leg and your arms will help lower body weight slowly to the next step.
Move the weaker/painful leg down to the step with the crutches on it.
Keep little or all weight off the painful leg as per your doctor's recommendations.
Step down with strong leg.
Both legs and the crutches should be on the same step.
Repeat sequence from Step 7 to continue descending stairs.
When finished, play theme song from Hollywood movie Rocky.
Hydrate with liquids to keep refreshed from the workout!

Tips:

Use a handrail and both crutches on one side, if balance or fatigue is a problem.

To remember proper gait sequence, just recall "Good foot goes to heaven, bad foot goes to hell-o!

Try to keep arms strong with simple strengthening exercises to help reduce walking fatigue.

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There’s a simple saying to help you remember how to go up and down the stairs with your crutches. It’s “up with the good, down with the bad.”

This means that:

When going up steps on crutches, lead with your stronger leg. Keep the crutches on the step where you’re standing.

When you’re going up the stairs, you should lead with your stronger — or “good” — leg.
When you’re going down the stairs, you should lead with your weaker — or “bad” — leg. The crutches support your weaker leg.

Tips for Going Up the Stairs on Crutches

Hold onto the handrail with one hand. Hold both crutches under your opposite arm. (If there’s no handrail, keep one crutch under each arm.) Crutches should be in the middle of the step, away from the edge.
Start close to the bottom step.
Keep the crutches on the step where you’re standing. Step up with your stronger leg (see image at right).
Push down on your crutches, and then step up with your weaker leg.
Once both feet are on the same step, bring your crutches up to that step.
Check your balance before you move to the next step. Repeat one through six.

When going down steps, place the crutches on the step below and lead with your weaker leg.

Tips for Going Down the Stairs on Crutches

Hold onto the handrail with one hand. Hold both crutches under your opposite arm. (If there’s no handrail, keep one crutch under each arm.) Keep crutches in the middle of the step, away from the edge.
Start near the edge of the step.
Put your crutches down on the next step below.
Step down with your weaker leg.
Step down with your stronger leg.
Check your balance before you move to the next step. Repeat one through six.

Bonus Tips for Climbing Stairs with Crutches

If your doctor tells you not to allow your weaker foot down on the ground at all (non-weight bearing), then:

When going up steps, bend your knee and keep your foot behind you.
When going down steps, extend your weaker leg in front of you.

Climbing narrow steps without railings

If the steps are narrow and there are no railings:

You may have to sit on each step. Move up and down the stairs on your buttocks.
You can do this any time you feel unsteady or unsure of yourself when climbing steps with your crutches.

It’s also a good idea to make sure someone is nearby in case you need help.

Carry items in a backpack.
Do not hang or lean on your crutches. Support all your weight on your hands, not under your arms.
Maintain good posture when walking.
Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and support your feet.
Be careful when walking on uneven or wet surfaces.
Walk at a safe, comfortable pace.

You’ll get more comfortable climbing stairs and walking as you continue to use your crutches.

Once you feel comfortable, you can step with your weaker leg and the crutch at the same time.

Your physical therapist may show you different ways to move safely, depending on your situation or environment.

What is 3 point gait crutch walking?

The crutches serve as one point, the involved leg as the second point, and the uninvolved leg as the third point. Both crutches move forward, the affected limb then steps up to the crutches. This is followed by the weight-bearing limb which steps through, beyond the crutches.

What is the correct method of going up stairs when using crutches?

When going upstairs with crutches non-weight-bearing, begin close to the bottom step. Push down on the handgrips as you step up with your healthy leg, then bring the crutches up next. Check your balance before you continue to the next step. If there is a sturdy handrail available, place both crutches under one arm.

How do you use 3 point gait crutches?

Three-Point Swing-Through Gait This is used to keep all pressure off your injured lower extremity. Starting from the tripod stance, swing both feet through, placing your good foot in front of the crutches. Make sure you “swing through” so that you're giving your body the proper support when stopping.

Is 3 point gait weight

Three-point gait crutch walking is commonly used because it provides for varied levels of weight bearing, from non–weight bearing to full weight bearing. 2 In this pattern, both crutches are advanced simultaneously with the involved side, and the noninvolved side is then advanced.