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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
This leaflet is intended for patients receiving care in Worthing Hospital.
The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
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