Managing the stairs (Unrestricted Weight Bearing)

Download and print as a PDF (251kB pdf)

Going Upstairs

• Hold your stick or your crutch in one hand, use the handrail with the other hand to support  yourself. 
• Lift your stronger or non-operated leg up on to the next step. 
• Push down with both arms and strong leg, then lift operated or affected leg onto the step  
• Then bring the stick or the crutch up onto the same step as both feet 
• Repeat this sequence until you get to the top of the stairs 

Going Downstairs

• Hold stick/crutch in one hand, use the handrail with the other hand to stabilise yourself.  
• with one hand on the handrail, place your stick/crutch down onto the next step  
• Bring the affected or operated leg down onto the same step as the stick or the crutch 
• Then follow with the unaffected or the non-operate leg 
• Repeat this sequence until you finish the stairs. 

Managing the stairs (Unrestricted Weight Bearing)

If you do not have a handrail or banister available, please follow the below instructions. You will likely be offered the opportunity to practice this with the physiotherapy team before you leave the hospital. 

Going Upstairs

• Keep both your walking sticks or elbow crutches on the ground floor  
• putting your weight through the walking sticks or crutches, step your stronger or your non-operated leg up on to the next step. 
• push down with both arms and strong leg, then lift operated  affected leg onto the same step as your other leg and your walking aid
• push down with both arms and strong leg, then lift operated / affected leg onto the same step as your other leg and your walking aid

Going downstairs

• Bring yourself close to the lip of the top step and place both your walking sticks or elbow crutches on the step below 
• putting your weight through the walking sticks or crutches, step your affected or operated leg down on to the step with the mobility aids. 
• then follow with the unaffected or the non-operate leg 
• repeat this sequence until you finish the stairs