Patient Information
Physiotherapy
Non-weight bearing (NWB) mobility
As a result of your leg fracture and/or surgery, your orthopaedic consultant
has advised that you do not put any weight onto this leg. This is referred to
as non-weight bearing (NWB).
This period of NWB is needed to provide time for proper bone and tissue
healing. It also allows for any metalwork that was used during surgery to
remain in the correct position.
Good tissue/bone healing is improved by avoiding any undue stress.
Excessive smoking can also interfere with the healing process – therefore,
it is a good reason to stop or cut down smoking.
Before leaving the hospital, your walking aid will be adjusted to the correct
height.
NWB (using a frame)
Maintain your balance on the good leg and place the frame at a
comfortable distance in front of you, make sure all the four feet of the
frame are firmly on the floor.
Pushing down through your arms, hop into the middle of the frame. Make
sure you are well balanced, and distribute the weight between your arms,
the frame, and your good leg, before you take the next step.
Patient Information
If you have a frame with two wheels at the front you can push the frame
forward rather than picking it up.
NWB using elbow crutches
Your elbow crutches will be adjusted to the correct height, your forearms
should sit within the cuff and hand grips point forward.
To stand
• Hold the crutches in one hand by the grips
• Push up on the arm of the chair with the other hand and stand on your
good leg.
• Slip your arms through the arm cuffs.
To sit
• Make sure you are close to the chair so you can feel it at the back of
your legs
• Get your balance on your good leg so your injured leg is off the floor
• Take your crutches off your arms
• Hold your crutches by the arm grips or lean them against the chair
• Reach back for the arms of the chair and lower yourself into the chair
Never stand or sit with your arms in the crutches.
Walking NWB with elbow crutches
• Keep your elbows into your sides
• Place the crutches forwards shoulder width apart to ensure your
whole body can fit through the gap
• Lean on the crutches to take weight onto your arms and the crutches
• Step through with your good leg
• When you have your balance, repeat the above steps.
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Patient Information
Stairs
If you feel unsafe or unsteady, go up and down on your bottom.
Ascending:
• Keep your injured leg off the floor and behind you by bending your
knee
• Push down on the crutches and step up with your good leg
• Move your crutches up onto the same step
Descending:
• Keep the injured leg off the step and out in front of you
• Maintain your balance on your good leg and place the crutches on
the step below
• Lower yourself down to the step leaning through the crutches
Stairs with handrail:
It is advisable to use a handrail if available. Hold on to the handrail with
one hand and hold both the crutches in the other hand to help you weight
bear on the one crutch. Ensure you keep the horizontal crutch on the
outside of the supporting crutch. Alternatively, arrange for a family member
to carry it up for you where possible.
Exercises
To prevent your foot swelling when you are not walking, sit with your leg
elevated so that your foot is higher than your hip.
To improve circulation, curl and stretch your toes for 5 minutes every hour.
If your leg is not in a plaster, you may have been given more active
exercises to promote the healing of your injury. Do these exercise as
instructed by your therapist.
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Patient Information
General safety
Remove any obstacles such as loose rugs or cables. Wear trainers or flat
shoes on your good leg and avoid wet floors.
Watch out for uneven surfaces and inadequate lighting.
Maintenance
Check regularly that the rubber ends of the crutches are not worn or
clogged with dirt or stones.
If you have a problem with the crutches, return them to the department that
issued them to you.
When you no longer need your crutches, please return them to the
department of issue as promptly as you can.
For further information contact:
UHCW Orthopaedic wards, Physiotherapy on 024 7696 5106
Rugby Orthopaedic Physiotherapy on 01788 663054
The Trust has access to interpreting and translation services. If you need
this information in another language or format, please contact 024 7696
5106 and we will do our best to meet your needs.
The Trust operates a smoke free policy.
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Document History
Department: Physiotherapy
Contact: 25692
Updated: December 2023
Review: December 2025
Version: 4
Reference: HIC/LFT/1668/13
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