The Best Tips & Tricks for Walking Up Stairs With Crutches

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If you're using crutches due to an injury, you may be wondering how to go up and down stairs with them. The right way to use stairs while on crutches depends on whether the stairs have a railing or not. If you're going up stairs that have a railing, use the railing to help support and balance your body with one hand while using the crutches with the other. If the stairs don't have a railing, support yourself with the crutches and use your good foot to help bring you up the steps. Be sure to go slowly and keep the crutches away from the edge of the stairs to avoid hurting yourself.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Stairs with a Railing

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  1. If there’s a stable railing to use, you’ll want to only use one arm with your crutches so the other arm can hold onto the railing. Stack both crutches against one another under one arm, stretching your grip so that you’re holding both of them steady. [1] [2]
    • Consider having a friend or family member carry the extra crutch up the stairs if possible so you’re not carrying both at once.
  2. While one arm is using the crutches, place the free arm on the railing. [3] Situate yourself close enough to the steps so that you’ll be able to pull up onto the railing without any problem. [4]
    • If you have one arm that’s stronger or more stable than the other, it might be best to use this one on the railing.
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  3. With your weight supported on one side by the crutches, step up onto the first stair with your good leg. As you’re moving upwards, grip the railing to pull yourself up. This will help you balance while making sure you put little to no weight on your weak leg. [5]
    • Make sure your knee is bent so it doesn’t touch the stair if you’re not allowed to put weight on it.
  4. This is where balance is a little more important—continue holding on to the railing and putting your weight on your good leg. Once you’re balanced on the step and aren’t putting any weight on the crutches, bring them up to the stair with your one hand. [6]
    • Make sure your crutches have a firm grip on the stairs once you bring them up.
  5. With both of your feet on the same stair as the crutches, continue the process over again starting with your lead foot each time. Make sure you keep a strong grip on the railing and go slowly to avoid falling. [7]
    • Ensure you have a tight grip on both crutches before moving up each step.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Stairs without a Railing

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  1. [8] If there’s no railing on the staircase, you’ll need to put a crutch under each arm as if you were walking with crutches normally. [9] This is a more dangerous way to go up the stairs, so make sure your grip on your crutches is strong and that you’re using them correctly. [10]
    • Your weight should be supported by the feet of the crutches as you support your body on them.
    • Make any height adjustments to the crutches before going up the stairs if necessary—they should fit under your shoulders comfortably as you're standing up straight.
  2. Bring yourself close to the bottom step with your crutches on either side of you supporting your weight. Use your lead leg, or the leg that isn’t injured, to step up onto the first step. [11] [12]
    • If the step is high up, you may need to do a slight hop to reach it. Make sure your crutches are stable before doing this.
  3. [13] With your lead leg already on the next step, use the crutches to support you as you bring your injured leg up next. Be careful not to lean backwards—try to keep your weight centered, or slightly forward if necessary. [14]
    • Keep your injured leg bent if you’re not allowed to put weight on it.
    • If you can put weight on your injured leg, step up lightly with it to give yourself extra balance.
  4. Shift your weight so that you’re relying on your lead leg instead of the crutches to support you. Bring the crutches up to the step, being careful to lift them up enough so that they don’t hit the edge of the step. [15]
    • Stay balanced and avoid leaning backwards.
  5. This method of ascending the staircase can be trickier, so take your time and go slowly if needed. Make sure you’re balanced each time you bring the crutches off of the step to go up to the next one, as this is when you’re least stable. [16]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

General Tips

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  1. Your strong leg is also known as your good leg, or the leg that isn’t injured. This will be the leg that you’ll rely on most to help you climb the stairs. Whenever you go up the stairs with crutches, whether there’s a railing or not, use your strong leg to step onto the stair first before pulling up the injured leg. [17]
  2. If your crutches reach too close to the edge of the staircase, they may slip right off of the stairs. Try to keep the crutches as centered on the stairs as possible to prevent any injuries. [18]
    • Keep the crutches as close to your body as possible.
  3. If your doctor tells you your leg is non-weight bearing, this means you shouldn’t put any weight on it at all while going up the stairs. To avoid accidentally using your bad leg while going up, bend your knee and lift your foot up so that it won’t hit the stairs. [19]
    • Even if you’re allowed to put a little weight on your bad leg, it’s best not to rely too much on it to help you up the stairs.
  4. Remember not to rush—using crutches can be tricky, especially when stairs are involved. Check your balance after each step, and make sure that you feel stable before attempting to go up the next one. [20]
  5. If possible, have a friend or family member near you as you’re ascending the stairs. Even if they’re in a different room, having someone who can hear you if you shout for help in an emergency is ideal. [21]
    • If no one is nearby, try to carry your phone in your pocket (not in your hands!) in case you need to call someone for help.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How far should crutches be from your armpit?
    Mayami Oyanagi
    Physical Therapist
    Mayami Oyanagi is a Physical Therapist and the owner of PT STOP Physical Therapy & Wellness, an individualized physical therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 14 years of experience, Mayami specializes in orthopedic injuries, manual therapy, and sports medicine. She holds an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. Mayami is also a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She treats the root cause of her client’s problems by utilizing biomechanical assessments.
    Mayami Oyanagi
    Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    You should be able to fit 2-3 fingers in between your armpit and the top of your crutch.
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  • Question
    How can I safely go down the stairs using crutches?
    Ian Kroes, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Ian Kroes is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician and the Founder of Peninsula Doctor, a concierge medical practice in Menlo Park, California. With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr. Kroes specializes in Primary Care, which encompasses care for the entire family. In addition, Dr. Kroes has a deep interest in longevity care that focuses on ways to optimize patients' health. This includes attention to nutrition, fitness, and preventative testing. Dr. Kroes received a B.S. in Applied Physical from UC Berkeley and has earned a medical degree from Stanford University.
    Ian Kroes, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    You can hold crutches in one hand and then use your other hand for the handrail. Another option is to put the crutches on the lower step and use your bad or injured leg, then follow that up with the good leg. So, crutches first, bad leg, good leg, then carefully proceed to go down the stairs.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Where should the hand grips be on crutches?
    Mayami Oyanagi
    Physical Therapist
    Mayami Oyanagi is a Physical Therapist and the owner of PT STOP Physical Therapy & Wellness, an individualized physical therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 14 years of experience, Mayami specializes in orthopedic injuries, manual therapy, and sports medicine. She holds an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. Mayami is also a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She treats the root cause of her client’s problems by utilizing biomechanical assessments.
    Mayami Oyanagi
    Physical Therapist
    Expert Answer
    The hand supports of your crutches should be lined up with the height of your wrist.
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      Tips

      • Wear shoes or socks with non-slip soles to avoid falling.
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      • Avoid carrying things in your hands while you're using your crutches.
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      • If you're feeling unsteady using your crutches to go up the stairs, sit down on the stairs instead and go up backwards using your bottom to support you.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about good posture, check out our in-depth interview with Mayami Oyanagi .

      References

      1. ↑ Ian Kroes, MD. Family Medicine Physician. Expert Interview. 21 July 2023.
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM0qMou6f0#t=45s
      3. ↑ Ian Kroes, MD. Family Medicine Physician. Expert Interview. 21 July 2023.
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM0qMou6f0#t=55s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM0qMou6f0#t=58s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM0qMou6f0#t=1m
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM0qMou6f0#t=1m2s
      8. ↑ Mayami Oyanagi. Physical Therapist. Expert Interview. 27 January 2021.
      9. ↑ Ian Kroes, MD. Family Medicine Physician. Expert Interview. 21 July 2023.
      1. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      2. ↑ Ian Kroes, MD. Family Medicine Physician. Expert Interview. 21 July 2023.
      3. ↑ / https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      4. ↑ Ian Kroes, MD. Family Medicine Physician. Expert Interview. 21 July 2023.
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7kWp2zq12w#t=1m3s
      6. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      7. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      8. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      9. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      10. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/
      11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfM0qMou6f0#t=2m50s
      12. ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2016/03/12-tips-using-crutches-stairs/

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