If your injury or surgery requires you to get around without putting

any weight on your leg or foot, you may have to use crutches.
A cane can be helpful if you have minor problems with balance or
stability, some weakness in your leg or trunk, an injury, or a pain. If
you are elderly, using a single point cane may help you to walk more
comfortably and safely and, in some cases, may make it easier for
you to continue living independently.
If you have had total knee or total hip replacement surgery, or you
have another significant problem, you may need more help with
balance and walking than you can get with crutches or a cane. A
pickup walker with four legs will give you the most stability.
A walker lets you keep all or some of your weight off of your lower
body as you take steps. With a walker, you use your arms to support
some of your body weight. As your strength and endurance get
better, you may gradually be able to carry more weight in your legs.

 Non weight-bearing. This means keep your

weak leg off the ground when you walk.
Touch-down weight-bearing. You may touch
the ground with your toes to help with balance.
Do NOT bear weight on your weak leg.
Partial weight-bearing. You may put less
than half of your body weight on your weak leg.
Weight-bearing as tolerated. You may put
more than half of your body weight on your
weak leg as long as it is not painful.

 USING 2 CRUTCHES : with two crutches, you can either be full non-weight
bearing or partial weight bearing (i.e. weight bearing as tolerated).
1. Non-Weight-Bearing (NWB) = You CANNOT place the foot of your injured leg
on the ground. The crutches are to act as your injured leg.
Good leg --> Both Crutches --> Good leg

2. Weight-Bearing-as-tolerated (WBAT) = You CAN place as much weight on the
injured foot/leg as pain allows whilst walking. The crutches stay in-line with
your injured leg at all times.
Crutches + Bad leg --> Good leg --> Crutches + Bad Leg --> Good Leg

USING 1 CRUTCH (The crutch always goes on the opposite side to the injury
and using one crutch always indicates WBAT status)
1. Weight-Bearing-as-tolerated (WBAT) = You CAN place as much weight on the
injured foot as pain allows whilst walking. The crutches stay in-line with your
injured leg at all times.
Crutches + Bad leg --> Good leg --> Crutches + Bad Leg --> Good Leg