During stair climbing with crutches, which statement best describes the weight-bearing sequence?

During stair climbing with crutches, which statement best describes the weight-bearing sequence?

• A. The injured leg bears most of the weight.
• B. The good leg and crutches bear weight; lift the good leg first.
• C. Lift both legs and crutches together.
• D. Drag the injured leg up while bearing weight on the crutches.

Answer: (B)

When climbing stairs with crutches, you rely on the crutches and the non-injured leg to bear weight and propel you upward. The first move is to lift the good leg onto the next step, using the crutches to support your body while that leg lands. After the good leg is up, the injured leg follows onto the same step. This pattern—weight through the crutches plus the strong leg, with the good leg leading—keeps the injured side non-weight-bearing on the step and uses the stronger limb to lift and stabilize you, which enhances balance and safety. Dragging the injured leg, lifting both legs at once, or having the injured leg bear most of the weight on the steps increases the risk of instability and re-injury, so they aren’t appropriate sequences.

When climbing stairs with crutches, you rely on the crutches and the non-injured leg to bear weight and propel you upward. The first move is to lift the good leg onto the next step, using the crutches to support your body while that leg lands. After the good leg is up, the injured leg follows onto the same step. This pattern—weight through the crutches plus the strong leg, with the good leg leading—keeps the injured side non-weight-bearing on the step and uses the stronger limb to lift and stabilize you, which enhances balance and safety.

Dragging the injured leg, lifting both legs at once, or having the injured leg bear most of the weight on the steps increases the risk of instability and re-injury, so they aren’t appropriate sequences.