About the instructions

You have been given a pair of crutches to use for as long as needed. You will be instructed on whether or not you can put weight on your injured leg.

If you may not put weight on the injured leg

Use a shoe that fits snuggly

We recommend that you wear slip-resistant shoes on the opposite foot. The shoe should fit snuggly.

Getting around on crutches

The crutches help you avoid putting weight on your injured leg:

• Place both crutches in front of you.
• Support your body weight on the crutches and keep your elbows close to your body.
• Use your healthy leg to jump forward

When you go up and down stairs, hold onto the railing with one hand. Hold on to both crutches in the other hand. Hold the crutch you are not using on the outside of the other one.
Going up:

• Hold on to the railing with one hand, and hold the crutches in the other.
• Keep your injured leg behind you.
• Place your weight on your arms and step up using your healthy leg.
• Finally, move the crutch up onto the step

Going down:

• Place your injured leg in front of you.
• Place the crutch on the step below you.
• Place your weight on your arms and step down using your healthy leg.

Remember to take only one step at a time.

Standing up and sitting down without putting weight on your injured leg

Do not put weight on your injured leg when standing up or sitting down.
Standing up:

• Move forward so you are sitting at the edge of the chair.
• Stretch the injured leg slightly forward and place your other foot just under the chair.
• Place your hands on the seat or armrests and push yourself up. Do not put any weight on the injured leg.
• Balance yourself and grab your crutches.

Sitting down:

• Position yourself so the back of your knee touches the seat.
• Place your injured leg slightly forward.
• Place your hands on the seat or armrest when lowering yourself so they support your weight

If you may put weight on your injured leg

Use a shoe with a high sole

If you are wearing a splint or cast on one foot, wear a shoe that fits snuggly on the other foot. This will help you move around more safely. Try to wear a shoe with the same sole thickness as the splint or cast so your legs are the same length.

Getting around on crutches

The crutches will help you move around. Remember to take steps of equal length when walking:

• Place both crutches in front of you.
• Place your injured leg in front of you between the crutches.
• Awing your other leg in front of the injured leg.

In some cases, you will only need one crutch when walking:

• Place the crutch on the opposite side of the injured leg.
• Move the crutch and your injured leg forward at the same time.
• Move your healthy leg forward, in front of the crutch and injured leg

When walking up and down stairs, hold on to the railing with one hand. Hold on to both crutches in the other hand. Hold the crutch you are not using on the outside of the other one.
Walking up stairs:

• First place your healthy leg on the step.
• Next, place your crutch and injured leg on the step. Remember to take only one step at a time

Walking down stairs:

• First, place the crutch on the step, followed by your injured leg.

• Then move your healthy leg onto the step

If you can, you can move the crutch and injured leg onto the step at the same time.

Addresses and opening hours

Return the crutches after use

When the crutches are no longer needed, please return them to:

Frederiksberg Hospital
Emergency department
Telephone: (+45) 38 16 35 24, all days between 09:00 and 21:00.