7b

• patient is PWB on right leg following hip surgery, teach them to WALK with crutches for the first time starting with your patient in bed. WALKING WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • REFER TO FIRST TIME UP SUBDECK
• patient is PWB on right leg following hip surgery, teach them to WALK with crutches for the first time starting with your patient in bed. WALKING WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • safety check zimmer frame
  • get pts onto zimmer frame
  • safety check crutches
  • adjust crutches
  • sit pts down
  • pts stand up with crutches in H position
  • teach walking
• ZIMMER 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
• CRUTCHES HEIGHT

  • the 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
  • patients 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 base of support
• 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
• Sit to Stand with Elbow Crutches:

  • 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
• patient is PWB on right leg following hip surgery, teach them to WALK with crutches for the first time starting with your patient in bed. WALKING WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

  • 3 point
  • both crutches forward, injured leg, then good leg (swing and two)
  • can also bring good leg forward past line of crutches and injured leg (swing and through)
  • 2 point
  • attempts to normalise gait as much as possible
  • injured leg and crutches move forward at the same time and then good leg swings through, being place in front of injured leg and crutches
• patient is PWB on right leg following hip surgery, teach them to WALK with crutches for the first time starting with your patient in bed. WALKING WITH ELBOW CRUTCHES

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