How to Go Up & Down Stairs with Crutches (with non-weight bearing)

Famous Physical Therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck provide instruction on how to go up & down stairs with crutches. They demonstrate both with a rail and without a rail. We are assuming you must be non-weight bearing on one of you legs.

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[Aguanuay]

Nothing like being just handed crutches and sent on your way - and then have to figure out how to get up stairs to get into the house. Thanks guys for this video

[temptingfate]

I came here looking for advice on how to go up stairs after tearing my ACL and MCL knee ligaments. I am in excellent shape but struggling quite a bit. After reading others comments about their struggles it doesn't feel like I am the only one anymore. It's tough going from being 100% and skiing cliffs to crawling up a staircase while dragging my crutches. A true lesson in humility. Thank you for the video I really appreciate the help!!!

[swag]

My house has thin spiral stairs. I think ill just live in the living room for now

[stevenreese]

You omitted that it takes a strong core and upper body strength to do what you're doing. If you're out of shape forgetaboutit.

[elimarseli]

Thank you so much! I have been stuck in my room for almost 3 weeks 😭 upstairs depending on my family but now can regain my independence. So happy!!!

[aworkingwomansart]

Thank you Soo much! I'm home alone most of the time and the kitchen is downstairs. This might be a little quicker for me

[lynnlola]

This is good. After breaking my hip and having surgery (2 weeks ago!), and having pins put in, I've been putting off going up my stairs and have watched this more than once, trying to buck up my nerve. So far, my hubby has carried me downstairs to our basement bathroom to shower, but I WILL gather the courage to attempt our stairs going upstairs, after watching this a few more times, I'm sure, haha. Practices in the hospital with the little set like yours, it was a breeze at the time, but my courage was bolstered by painkillers, I think, LOL. I've got 6 more weeks to go before I can weight bear, so I'll have time to try. Thank you for posting this.

[rockymcdonough]

I just shattered my right ankle a week ago and im having surgery this week. it just so happens that i live on the fourth floor of a five story walk-up in nyc.... let me tell you right now how frickin exhausting and sweaty it is to go up AND down those stairs in the summer with no AC in the building :( takes me like 9 minutes now (i am horribly out of shape) but hopefully i'll get better at it over the next couple months

[Gracieskinn]

Me, my sister as well as my brother in law have decided to start putting you down as your primary care physicians. Thank you for these videos

[tonyabeth]

So much jumping. F it, I’m just staying home.

[MortuusXL]

Thank you! I've suffered a knee injury and it's good to know proper ways to avoid stressing out an injury.

[cheper]

Thank you very much for this video, I fractured my ankle this week and been struggling with stairs...

[ueta]

thank you so much for this video, i broke my fibula at the ankle and i live on the 4th floor, it's quite tiring but i only need to go to get an x-ray and then additional check ups every 2 weeks, wish me luck guys!!!

[jaheje]

I live in a house that has no handrails hand I live in a one-story house but to get outside I have to climb down 3/4 steps depending on where I go out and I keep falling and hurting myself.

[aaacool]

I am a PTA student and I have found your videos super helpful! Keep it up guys!

[fasai]

I’m getting ankle surgery tomorrow, this will help a lot. Thank you 🙏

[cinnamonbiscuit]

i just broke my tibia ( ankle bone ) two days ago this really help alot

[colleenwalter]

What do you do if hand rail doesn't go to top step? I have 18 steps, rail all the way up minus top step. Scary last step

[sunnyxrose]

So helpful. I broke my foot and I have stairs around and in my house also at school. Thanks

[carolynmitchell]

Broke my ankle 5 days ago & am non weight bearing on left leg for 8 weeks. I have never used crutches in my life & using them is totally unnatural to me. Thanks for the video!