Most crutches can be adjusted using a sliding mechanism. Ask your healthcare provider or physical therapist for help fitting the length to your body before using them. Climbing up stairs can be dangerous if you try to go too fast. Make sure to go slowly and regain your balance before moving on to the next step. If it’s possible, have someone help you, especially the first few times.

Toe touch for balance only: Only put your toe on the ground to lightly stabilize yourself and regain your balance. Don’t apply any weight or pressure on it. It's important to follow the advice the hospital gives you on looking after your knee to have a good recovery. Recovering in hospital You can usually go home if your wound is healing well and you can safely get around. Most people can leave hospital 1 to 3 days after the operation.Sports injuries: All kinds of injuries from sprains, to ACL tears or a torn meniscus can require you to use crutches while you recover. Slide down one step using your strong leg and the hand that’s not holding your crutches to brace yourself. If you’re wearing a boot or cast on your foot or ankle, follow these steps the same way, just don’t put more weight on your foot than your healthcare provider says you can. You'll have help from nurses and physiotherapists to start walking soon after the operation so you can go home as soon as possible. You'll need crutches or a walking frame at first. Recovering at home

If you’re not comfortable or don’t feel safe walking down stairs on your crutches, you can scoot down them on your butt. Partial weight baring or a certain percentage: Your healthcare provider will say you can use a certain percentage of your weight — like 50% or 80%. This isn’t usually a literal amount that you can’t go above — it’s more like a guide to help you understand how much you can use your recovering leg. Picture putting that amount of your usual weight down as you stand, walk and move. Make sure your crutches have grooved rubber tips covering the bottom and that the underarm support and handgrips have comfortable padding. If you’re not comfortable or don’t feel safe walking up stairs on your crutches, you can hop up them on your butt.With one hand on a crutch handgrip and the other on your seat, push yourself up to a standing position. Make sure to use your strong leg as much as possible.

Before you leave, a physiotherapist or occupational therapist will talk to you about managing daily activities and home exercise programmes. Following the exercises early on in your recovery will help with the long-term strength and movement in your knee. Leaning your weight on your armpits can make you less stable. It can also hurt your shoulder joints and the nerves and blood vessels under your arms. Putting weight on your shoulders will also tire you faster while using your crutches. Step down with your recovering leg to meet your crutches. Put even pressure on your crutches’ handgrips for support then bring your strong leg down to meet your recovering leg. Make sure your crutches are adjusted to your height. If you have underarm crutches, the top should hit a few inches below your armpits, and the handgrips should be around your hips.

Game changer

Surgery: You might need crutches after surgery on your lower body, including common procedures like arthroscopic surgery. Use your crutch to support your weight as you move forward — make sure not to put more pressure on your recovering leg than your healthcare provider says is OK. Then, move the crutch and your recovering leg together up to the next step to meet your strong leg. After some injuries or surgeries, your healthcare provider might say you only need to use one crutch.