3b

• NWB on their left leg with elbow crutches following ankle surgery. Teach stand and sit with crutches for the first time starting with pts in chair. SIT TO STAND WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • FRAME SAFETY CHECK
  • safety checks similar to crutches
  • ferrules must have good grip on it and are securely on the legs
  • poppers must be visible and are stable
  • poppers must be at the same level on each leg
  • shafts must maintain integrity - shouldnt be dents, as it may collapse if someone puts their weight on it
  • sticker saying its been confirmed for safety (same as crutches)
  • handles mustnt have any cracks
• NWB on their left leg with elbow crutches following ankle surgery. Teach stand and sit with crutches for the first time starting with pts in chair. SIT TO STAND WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • CRUTCHES SAFETY CHECK
  • shouldn't be able to move the bottom rubber at all
  • need to make sure theres no wear in the holes
  • the poppers should be able to come out
  • the handle shouldnt be able to move around
  • the handle pivot should be firm
  • no damage or loose bolts by the elbow cuff
• NWB on their left leg with elbow crutches following ankle surgery. Teach stand and sit with crutches for the first time starting with pts in chair. SIT TO STAND WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • PATIENT CANNOT PUT LEFT LEG DOWN
• NWB on their left leg with elbow crutches following ankle surgery. Teach stand and sit with crutches for the first time starting with pts in chair. SIT TO STAND WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • REFER TO FIRST TIME UP SUBDECK
• Frame sit to stand

  • first demonstration so pts can learn
  • check if frame has been set up to pts height
  • pts must be in suitable footwear and environment must be safe
  • get pts to shuffle to the edge/front of the chair
  • must sit to stand from the chair, using the chair, pushing down on it to stand up
  • only once theyve stood up should they hold onto the frame - IMPORTANT!!!!
  • to sit down make sure pts can feel the bed/chair behind them and at that point reach back and sit down
• Crutches sit to stand

  • put crutches on the same side as the injured leg in H position
  • also use the arms of the chair / sides of the bed to get into standing
  • transfer non injured side arm through the elbow cuff first, then put injured side through the cuff, then move non injured side to its normal side
  • to go back down move the non injured side to the same side as the injured side, take injured side arm out of cuff, then non injured side, look back and then place hand on chair, lowering yourself down
• Finding right height of crutches:

  • top of the handle should be in line with the styloid process (can also use the wrist crease) whilst the arm is relaxed by the side
  • taller than 5"11 require longer crutches
  • get pts to stand up using the arms of the chair and hold onto a Zimmer frame when measuring (only hold onto frame after standing up)
  • stand next to pts at all times
  • after arms are in crutches get pts to lean forwards with crutches and bring injured leg forward to make a triangular BOS
• NWB on their left leg with elbow crutches following ankle surgery. Teach stand and sit with crutches for the first time starting with pts in chair. SIT TO STAND WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • push up from seat
  • once fully stood up, place affected (left) side arm onto frame, then right side
  • when pts on frame, measure height of crutches
  • once height measured, sit pts back down
  • demonstrate:
  • crutches in H position on affected side
  • non injured arm through cuff first, then injured arm
  • move injured arm into normal position first, then non injured arm
  • due opposite to sit back down
• NWB on their left leg with elbow crutches following ankle surgery. Teach stand and sit with crutches for the first time starting with pts in chair. SIT TO STAND WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • TELL AND EXPLAIN TO PATIENT THAT THEYRE NON WEIGHTBEARING!!!!