Crutches and children - sitting and getting up from a chair

Sitting down in a chair and getting up again with crutches can be tricky until your child learns how to do it. Help your child learn how to do this safely.

To Sit Down

Your child should:

• Place the chair against a wall or in a secure place so it cannot move or slide. Use a chair with arm rests.
• Back up against the chair.
• Put legs against the front seat of the chair.
• Hold the crutches at the side and use the other hand to hold the arm of the chair.
• Use the good leg to lower down in the chair.
• Use the arm rests for support if needed.

To Get Up

Your child should:

• Slide forward to the edge of the chair.
• Hold both crutches on his injured side. Lean forward. Hold the chair arm with the other hand.
• Push up on the handgrip of the crutch and the arm of the chair.
• Stand up putting weight onto the good leg.
• Put crutches under the arms to start walking.