After Knee Replacement: Walking with Crutches

Once your balance improves, you may begin using crutches or a cane instead of a walker. Crutches and canes can help you walk with an even stride. Follow all instructions given to you by your physical therapist. 

Using crutches

• With crutches in place, lean on your hands. The top of the crutch should be just below, not in, the armpit.
• Move your operated leg and crutches forward at the same time. Keep the operated leg lined up with the crutches.
• Look straight ahead, and step through the crutches with your good leg. 

Walking up stairs

• Hold the rail with one hand and both crutches in the other. Support your weight evenly between the rail and the crutches.
• With the crutches and operated leg on the lower step, step up with your un-operated leg.
• Keeping a grip on the rail, bring your operated leg and crutches up to the same step.

Walking down stairs

• Hold the rail with one hand and both crutches in the other.
• With your weight on your good leg, step down with your operated leg and crutches.
• Using the crutches and rail for balance, slowly bring your good leg down to the same step.

After Knee Replacement: Walking with Crutches

Once your balance improves, you may begin using crutches or a cane instead of a walker. Crutches and canes can help you walk with an even stride. Follow all instructions given to you by your physical therapist. 

Using crutches

• With crutches in place, lean on your hands. The top of the crutch should be just below, not in, the armpit.
• Move your operated leg and crutches forward at the same time. Keep the operated leg lined up with the crutches.
• Look straight ahead, and step through the crutches with your good leg. 

Walking up stairs

• Hold the rail with one hand and both crutches in the other. Support your weight evenly between the rail and the crutches.
• With the crutches and operated leg on the lower step, step up with your un-operated leg.
• Keeping a grip on the rail, bring your operated leg and crutches up to the same step.

Walking down stairs

• Hold the rail with one hand and both crutches in the other.
• With your weight on your good leg, step down with your operated leg and crutches.
• Using the crutches and rail for balance, slowly bring your good leg down to the same step.

After Knee Replacement: Walking with Crutches

Once your balance improves, you may begin using crutches or a cane instead of a walker. Crutches and canes can help you walk with an even stride. Follow all instructions given to you by your physical therapist. 

Using crutches

• With crutches in place, lean on your hands. The top of the crutch should be just below, not in, the armpit.
• Move your operated leg and crutches forward at the same time. Keep the operated leg lined up with the crutches.
• Look straight ahead, and step through the crutches with your good leg. 

Walking up stairs

• Hold the rail with one hand and both crutches in the other. Support your weight evenly between the rail and the crutches.
• With the crutches and operated leg on the lower step, step up with your un-operated leg.
• Keeping a grip on the rail, bring your operated leg and crutches up to the same step.

Walking down stairs

• Hold the rail with one hand and both crutches in the other.
• With your weight on your good leg, step down with your operated leg and crutches.
• Using the crutches and rail for balance, slowly bring your good leg down to the same step.