The Best way to Use a Walker On the Stairs Partial or Non Weight Bearing

Cindy demonstrates How to Use a Walker On the Stairs for both non-weight bearing and partial weight bearing. No matter what device is being used on the stairs, we always lead up the stairs with the good/strong leg first and down the stairs with the bad/weak/injured/surgical leg first. The walker is placed sideways on the stairs, opposite a handrail if present. If there is no handrail for assistance, the walker goes on the side opposite the weak/injured/surgical leg. We always recommend having the assistance of another person when at all possible. Walker wheels can be placed inside the walker to assist with the placement of all four legs on the steps, depending on step width.

Video Timestamps:
00:19 How to use a walker going upstairs (full or partial weight bearing)
01:56 How to use a walker going upstairs (non-weight bearing)
02:56 How to use a walker going downstairs (non-weight bearing)
03:43 How to use a walker going downstairs (full or partial weight bearing)

Going up the Stairs

Turn the walker sideways
Place the front walker legs on the first step above you; the walker will now sit at an angle upward on the steps
Place your hand on the front handle of the walker and apply pressure to check for stability
Push down on the front handle of the walker and handrail to support the weak leg as you step up with the strong leg (non-weight bearing- hop up with the strong leg)
Then step up with the weak leg (non-weight bearing- holding the weak leg up to clear step before hopping up with the strong leg )
Pull the walker forward to the next step with the front legs resting on the step above you. ****Due to varying step widths, both sets of walker legs may not fully rest on both steps. Make sure to always apply pressure through the weight-bearing handle (front when going up the stairs) of the walker to check for stability before stepping up to the next step.

Going down the steps

Turn the walker sideways
Place the back walker legs on the step beside you
Place your hand on the back handle of the walker and apply pressure to check for stability. ****Due to varying step widths, both sets of the walker's legs may not fully rest on both steps. Always apply pressure through the weight-bearing handle (back when going down the stairs) of the walker to check for stability before stepping down to the next step.
Push down on the back walker handle and handrail, shift weight onto the strong leg, and step down with the weak leg (non-weight bearing- hold injured leg forward to clear the step)
Then step down with the strong leg (non-weight bearing- hop down with strong leg)
Move the walker down so the back legs rest on the step beside you.

Please consult with your local physical therapist regarding your specific circumstances!

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