[Blindtlk] How do you use crutches?

[Gloria Whipple]

That is the way I was taught when I had knee surgery.


Gloria Whipple
Corresponding Secretary
Inland Empire chapter
nfb of WA


-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jewel
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 17:03
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] How do you use crutches?

Well, if you are supposed to keep weight off your foot, you need to do
a different technique than if you were using them for support only.

If you used them to support your weight only, you would likely use
only one crutch (I've done this before because of fibromyalgia, bad
hips, bad knees, etc). You would move the crutch with the leg on that
side of your body.

However, if you have to keep all weight off one foot, you'll be using
two crutches. Move the two crutches together forward, then hop forward
on your one good foot, keeping your bad foot hovering in frotn of your
body. I've done this, too, due to tendonitis in one ankle (yes, I have
waaay too many diagnoses and complications).

If you n eed more instruction, e-mail me and I'll try to go into more
detail. While I don't see using a white cane with two crutches
possible, you could do it with one; I use a support cane along with m
y white cane about fifty percent of the time, depending on how I'm
feelign that day.

Hope that helps,
Jewel

On 8/30/11, Chasity Jackson <chasityvanda at charter.net> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> I was just curious if anyone can explain how to use crutches? I know you
> hold them under your arm and hold the handles down below...But when do you
> put each one in front of you in conjunction to walking? Do you, for
> instance, put the right crutch out when you step with your left foot? I
just
> had foot surgery and I am in a cast. Crutches will help me. I asked my
> Podiatrist and the people at the surgery center to help me, but they said
> since they weren't technically licensed to do that, they weren't legally
> allowed to show me. Is it possible to use crutches and a cane? If not, I'm
> not terribly worried about it. I am mainly planning to use them around the
> house anyway to keep some of the weight off of my healing foot. Any tips
and
> tricks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
> Chasity
>
>
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