Crutches first, that what I do when I am on my crurches I have two small step out to my yard. I feel I am in more control that way up or down. If they have a railing next to the step and if some one is with with you have them hang on to one of your crutches then use the other plus the hand rail, that how I get upstair to bed ever night, there is a crutch up stair waiting for me I leave one down for the am. I don't feel safe coming down the stair on cruthes I like the hand rail for support, but if its only one or two steps then I have to use the crutches. but a flight of stair I like to use only one and the hand rail dont fell safe coming down, but going up I dont mind if I fall then I am falling up onto the steps but coming down then what do I fall on.

Hope this helps

I use a technique I call Stabilize, Balance, then Hop.

1. put crutch tips on same step as yor foot, as nearly in line with your foot and ankle joint.

2. Test your balance by VERY cautiously lifting your foot. If you start going backward, obviously, put your foot back down QUICKLY. If you start moving forward, Step 3.

3. Raise your foot above the next step level and presto, you're there and ready to repeat as necessary.

For going down steps, I put the crutch tip just a little forward of the riser (vertical gap between steps) and rest the crutch shaft against the step I'm on. Then, carefully slide my foot forward and then put it on the "target" step. This allows me to chicken out if I feel the move isn't safe; the crutch being propped against the step you're on gives you a bit more stability than just putting the crutch tip on the step and hoping for a good result, I find. Try these with some kind of false steps; I used a really good constructed two step thing made of concrete blocks surrounded by several old mattresses. Bug people to put up handrails when possible!!!!

Hi Jody,
I lost my leg above the knee in may and was on crutches - now I just hop as the strength in my remaining leg has increased considerably...but I would follow the second reply because that's pretty much how I did it in the first few months...
Good Luck
Joe