The Best way to Use a Walker On the Stairs Partial or Non Weight Bearing
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- čas přidán 27. 05. 2024
- Cindy demonstrates How to Use a Walker On the Stairs for both non-weight bearing and partial weight bearing. No matter what device is being used on the stairs, we always lead up the stairs with the good/strong leg first and down the stairs with the bad/weak/injured/surgical leg first. The walker is placed sideways on the stairs, opposite a handrail if present. If there is no handrail for assistance, the walker goes on the side opposite the weak/injured/surgical leg. We always recommend having the assistance of another person when at all possible. Walker wheels can be placed inside the walker to assist with the placement of all four legs on the steps, depending on step width.
Video Timestamps:
00:19 How to use a walker going upstairs (full or partial weight bearing)
01:56 How to use a walker going upstairs (non-weight bearing)
02:56 How to use a walker going downstairs (non-weight bearing)
03:43 How to use a walker going downstairs (full or partial weight bearing)
Going up the Stairs
Turn the walker sideways
Place the front walker legs on the first step above you; the walker will now sit at an angle upward on the steps
Place your hand on the front handle of the walker and apply pressure to check for stability
Push down on the front handle of the walker and handrail to support the weak leg as you step up with the strong leg (non-weight bearing- hop up with the strong leg)
Then step up with the weak leg (non-weight bearing- holding the weak leg up to clear step before hopping up with the strong leg )
Pull the walker forward to the next step with the front legs resting on the step above you. ****Due to varying step widths, both sets of walker legs may not fully rest on both steps. Make sure to always apply pressure through the weight-bearing handle (front when going up the stairs) of the walker to check for stability before stepping up to the next step.
Going down the steps
Turn the walker sideways
Place the back walker legs on the step beside you
Place your hand on the back handle of the walker and apply pressure to check for stability. ****Due to varying step widths, both sets of the walker's legs may not fully rest on both steps. Always apply pressure through the weight-bearing handle (back when going down the stairs) of the walker to check for stability before stepping down to the next step.
Push down on the back walker handle and handrail, shift weight onto the strong leg, and step down with the weak leg (non-weight bearing- hold injured leg forward to clear the step)
Then step down with the strong leg (non-weight bearing- hop down with strong leg)
Move the walker down so the back legs rest on the step beside you.
Please consult with your local physical therapist regarding your specific circumstances!
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Very informative & helpful.
Hira Koul, thanks for your comment. We’re glad you found our video helpful. Take care!
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In my case i use my hip muscles for both . Left leg very weak
I had ankle surgery 3 weeks ago and I am SO HAPPY to have learned how to use a walker instead of crutches! Thank you for this video going down I have been able to do, it's the going up part I'm still going up on my backside but I'll get there. Thanks for the videos, you give great explanations!
Daisies.Nd.Daffodils, thank you for your comment. We are glad you found our video helpful. Take care and speedy recovery.
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Great explanation. I wowed the therapist!!!!!
Awww... Thanks Frank! We’re sure it’s because you’re a great student. ✌️❤️AECorner
I was thinking yesterday I had not gotten a notification of a video from you for a long time.
Good instruction, easy to understand.
Thanks Stephen! Yes, it has been awhile since we posted a video, but we are still working hard😊. We are working on two video series projects. Have a great day! ✌🏻❤️ AECorner.com
@@AECorner Thanks. You have a good channel.
Thank you so much for sharing the above.. very much needed helpful. In my case, I need someone's help to flex my rt leg .
So glad you found our video helpful 🥰🥰 Christina & Cindy - AECorner.com
I like Her Videos She explains using a Walker or Cane very clearly.
Awww... Thanks Carol! We're so happy you found our videos helpful.
You are correct, stairs can be very scary! Sorry to hear that you are having a tough time with your recovery. Please be safe and stop by our Adaptive Equipment & Caregiving Corner Facebook page and keep us posted on your recovery. ✌️❤️AECorner.com
Thanks just the info I needed Cheers Ty
Ty Grant, glad you found our video helpful. Take care! ✌🏻❤️ AECorner.com
Great help, this is a life saver 👍👍
ankit akhilesh, we’re glad you found our video helpful. Take care!! ✌🏻❤️😊 AECorner.com
Best explication ever
James Petit Frere, thank you!! We’re glad you found our video helpful. ✌🏻❤️AECorner
Thank you. Very helpful. Maybe I can quit going up on my hands and knees now?! (That’s been interesting…)
Kathy Downing, thank you for your comment. Yes, hands and knees…very interesting, but at times very resourceful😊. Glad our video was helpful. Take care! ✌🏻❤️ AECorner.com
Think that these vids are a good starting point, we can use for crowd sourcing. And we need to.
What’s on the other side of each wall? If one wall could be modified, a roller track seat could be used.
Those chairs are no longer primitive, but certainly not the tech we would hope .
What about a ski slope gondolier? Harness from the top, use a steel cross member.
Anyone who has to hop on an ankle or foot, it’s going to be trouble early on. The structures are not springs or have bushings and lubricants. Sit. Install a ramp.
If because of the 1:12 ratio, the ramp has to take up some adjoining room floor space-good. Design right the first time.
The walker is an engineering marvel. I have one in each room. Pretty live edge wood to make a shelf, a plant stand or a bench to use for reaching cupboards, a footrest, always ready to go back to being a walker.
Don’t take away from someone who needs it, give one to someone to try. Walkers are great.
But while a walker is an engineered marvel, using wrong is to be avoided.
While we’re doing things like this…it’s keeping us from demanding better tech. Home elevators are coming along.
Worth the price to meet the medical need.
Elevators, moving stairs, dumb waiters have been 100 years. Can’t we figure this out?
Something to think about…the existing handrail could fail inspection….needs a full hand grip, a pole grasp attachment works.
Thanks for your feedback, PowerWithinUs
I had a giant cell tumor removed from my knee two years ago, and it's possible I may have to have a second surgery. I'll know after my CT scan in a couple of weeks. Anyway, I live up a flight of 17 outside steps. My apartment is perfectly flat if I can just get back up here after the surgery. My surgery knee is the right one, and the stairs have one metal railing on the right side coming up, left side going down. I took my walker that I've kept all this time down to the ground a few minutes ago and tried the non-weight bearing technique to come up a couple of steps. Very unnerving to take that hop up, even though I can walk up them fine right now. So, I came on up normally to the top to see about taking a step down. I wasn't able to do this because the rail at the very top step is to low. But, my main concern is getting back into the apartment should I have to have surgery. Then as long as a tornado or fire doesn't occur I should be okay. Of course, I'm hoping that I won't have to have the surgery at all.
Terry, we are hopeful you don’t have to have surgery!! If so though, do you know for sure that you will be non weight bearing? 17 steps is a lot to contend with after surgery. If you have to, I would have one of the PTs at the hospital show you how to use crutches and the rail. We have a demo video on crutches, but we would have you use the crutches different, under your arm like you would typically use them, but both on the left with the rail on the right when going up. Please get some in person PT guidance on this if you do have surgery. Take care! ❤️✌🏻😊
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@@AECorner I was non-weight bearing after the first surgery, but no, I'm not sure if I would be after another one. Thanks for the advice. I've always had a fear of crutches because that little point of contact it has with the surface can slip very easily if you happen to contact a wet or moist spot. The fear of falling is now a huge thing with me.
Totally understandable! There are other possible ways, but you certainly need to be instructed in person for your safety. Be safe and take care😊
@@terryg8516 How'd it go for you?
I agree crutches are scary. I've been using a walker for months now and previously used crutches for a total over two years. So many falls or close falls from wet floors on crutches. Luckily, when I was afflicted for a long period I was partial weight baring and could (usually) catch myself although it hurt like crazy. In hindsight, my therapist or doctor really should have had me switch to a walker for some of it as I was essentially relearning how to walk on that leg.
Is there any advice you could give me, my walker doesn't have wheels. If possible I need advice going down a step to the bottom and the vidoe shows in middle of stairs. Note im non weight bearing on one knee.
Question, are you going down multiple steps or just one?
What if you only have 1 hand following stroke? Rehab hospital told us to leave at bottom of stair.
Excellent advice! Our videos are to provide general information. Always follow what your personal rehabilitation therapist tells you. If you have a health equipment lending closet nearby borrow a used walker from them. Then you can leave one at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom.
I have hardwood stairs and they are not as wide as yours. Do you have any advice for me with your method or do we need a different one.
Thanks for your question, Lisa. Ideally using a cane in the opposite hand of the rail would be better but if that's not an option, consider folding the "back side" of the walker in and pushing through the "front side" of the walker in the opposite hand of the rail. If it would be easier to correspond to us via email, hop on our contact page of our website and leave us a message. We can send you a diagram or a picture of how that should look. Hope that helps. ✌️❤️ AECorner.com
Interesting comment, I have similar. So….I can caution….that things change and will.
I’ve added safety grab bars normally seen in bath area….use them on the wall at the top two steps. North to south for one, for the lower level steps, it’s slanted .
It’s nice to have the grip. The extra oomph.
What if you don’t have a railing?
The don’t plan to go up and down stairs, but there are a couple of steps in and out of my house. I’m partial weight bearing.
Sally, thanks for your comment. Without a rail and being partial weight bearing this can be difficult. I would recommend assistance on the stairs for now for support on the opposite side of the walker to help maintain the partial weight bearing the best that you can. Every setup/situation can be different. Please consult a local physical therapist for further advice. ✌🏻❤️AECorner
Thanks very much for this
Is there a video that shows you how to go up down steps with “NO” rails using the walker. I can’t find instructions anywhere. Pls help me
How many steps are there? Are the steps at your home? What type of walker?
Do you have anyone to assist?
Adaptive Equipment Corner 3 narrow then a few steps and another set of steps for 4 sections total, outside on cement
Adaptive Equipment Corner/Yes, I’d have someone with me but I’m heavy set and it’s scary cause I’m afraid of hurting someone. The steps are outside you have to walk then hit steps, walk again and another set of steps, for 4 sets total. Your help is appreciated
Adaptive Equipment Corner Sorry, the walker is bariatric with double wheels in front
What about stairs without risers? Is the technique still safe?
JNeal134, thank you for your question. We would not recommend using this technique on stairs without risers due to the possibility of the leg or wheel of the walker slipping off of the back edge of the step.
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@@AECorner Thank you!
OBRIGADA
de nada 🥰
Just would have liked your scene go up and down the stairs a few more steps and just one step a very good video
Shirley McFarland, thanks for your comment. We appreciate the feedback. Have a great day! ✌🏻❤️AECorner
Going up and Down stairs with Walker makes me Nervous. Scared of Falling. I'm recovering from a Broken Femur, Have Titanium Rods in my Hip and Leg. It's been a terrible experience.
What if there is no railing?
Nancy Emery, thank you for your question. If there is no rail we suggest you have assistance from another person on the opposite side of the walker for stability. Please consult a local physical therapist about your specific situation as needed for safety. ✌🏻❤️AECorner.com
What about steps without a handrail??
Lynette Combs, thank you for your question. We always recommend, if available, someone to assist you on the opposite side of the walker if there is no rail. There are lots of different scenarios for steps. If stairs are something that you have to contend with on a frequent basis, maybe being in the home to a second story of for exiting/entering the home, we recommend that you have your situation evaluated by a local physical therapist for safety. Take Care!
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Show how to use walker with no handrails
Timothy Zenik, the same technique can be used without a rail if an individual is partial weight bearing, although we always recommend having assistance from another person on the opposite side of the walker for safety. There are ways to use a walker in the stairs when non weight bearing, but it is certainly more involved. We do not have instruction on that at this time, so we would recommend consultation with a local PT. Hope this was helpful. ✌🏻❤️ AECorner.com
Orthopaedic physio here. This is not a good option for those that require a walker for level ground walking. That is, if they need a walker on level ground (unable to manage crutches), then the degree of control required to do this will be out of their reach and trying it will be quite risky. I'd get them to sit on the 2nd step and shuffle backwards up the stairs on their backside. Then stand on the 2nd top step and sit on a chair up the top. Swivel, stand.
k, thanks
Hello. I posted this above, but wanted to get your response as well: I had a giant cell tumor removed from my knee two years ago, and it's possible I may have to have a second surgery. I'll know after my CT scan in a couple of weeks. Anyway, I live up a flight of 17 outside steps. My apartment is perfectly flat if I can just get back up here after the surgery. My surgery knee is the right one, and the stairs have one metal railing on the right side coming up, left side going down. I took my walker that I've kept all this time down to the ground a few minutes ago and tried the non-weight bearing technique to come up a couple of steps. Very unnerving to take that hop up, even though I can walk up them fine right now. So, I came on up normally to the top to see about taking a step down. I wasn't able to do this because the rail at the very top step is to low. But, my main concern is getting back into the apartment should I have to have surgery. Then as long as a tornado or fire doesn't occur I should be okay. Of course, I'm hoping that I won't have to have the surgery at all.
I’m scared
Minnie cee, being scared is totally understandable. Steps can be scary. We tell our patients all of the time “slow and steady”. We also always recommend a consult with a local PT for any safety concerns. Stay safe and take care. ✌🏻❤️ AECorner.com