4a

• can mobilise PWB on right leg with elbow crutches post surgery. Ensuring crutches are safe to use teach them how to go up and down stairs with one handrail – EC and STAIRS

  • CRUTCHES SAFETY CHECK
  • shouldn't be able to move the ferrules 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
• • get pts onto a zimmer frame first to adjust crutches height
  • must safety check zimmer frame and crutches beforehand
• FRAME SAFETY CHECK

  • safety checks are similar to the crutches
  • ferrules must have good grip on it and are securely on the legs
  • the poppers must be visible and are stable
  • the poppers must be at the same level on each leg
  • the shafts must maintain their integrity - shouldnt be any dents, as it may collapse if someone puts their weight on it
  • there should be a sticker saying its been confirmed for safety (same as crutches)
  • the handles mustnt have any cracks
• can mobilise PWB on right leg with elbow crutches post surgery. Ensuring crutches are safe to use teach them how to go up and down stairs with one handrail – EC and STAIRS

  • take off the crutch on the side that theres a banister and hold it on the outside of the crutch on the other (non banister) side - T position
  • use banister as other crutch
  • bring good leg up first and then follow with injured leg and banister
  • on the way down bring the injured leg down first along with moving down the banister and then move the good leg down
• can mobilise PWB on right leg with elbow crutches post surgery. Ensuring crutches are safe to use teach them how to go up and down stairs with one handrail – EC and STAIRS

  • STAND BEHIND PATIENT ON THE WAY UP
  • ON THE WAY DOWN TELL SOMEONE TO STAND BEHIND THE PATIENT AND YOU STAND IN FRONT
• PWB stairs - good leg to heaven, bad leg to hell:

  • stand behind the pts
  • good leg steps up first
  • then injured leg and crutches move up onto the same level
  • stand in front of the pts on the way down - tell examiner someone will stand behind
  • injured leg and crutches go down first
  • then good leg goes down
• can mobilise PWB on right leg with elbow crutches post surgery. Ensuring crutches are safe to use teach them how to go up and down stairs with one handrail – EC and STAIRS

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