Remaining non-weight bearing (NWB) for six weeks can feel overwhelming, but this period of complete offloading is necessary for proper bone and tissue healing. Successfully navigating this restriction requires a proactive approach, combining specialized equipment with adjustments to your environment and routine. This guide provides strategies to help you maintain independence and safety throughout your recovery period.
Essential Mobility and Equipment Choices
Selecting the right mobility aid is the first step in adapting to a non-weight bearing status. Crutches are the standard prescription, requiring strength, balance, and coordination. Proper fitting is necessary: the top of the crutch should rest about three finger-widths below the armpit, and handgrips should position the elbows with a slight 30-degree bend. Ensure weight is borne through the hands, not the armpits.
A wheeled knee scooter, also known as a knee walker, is often a more comfortable alternative, especially for longer distances and indoor use. The scooter supports the injured leg on a padded platform, allowing the user to propel themselves with the healthy leg, requiring less energy than crutches. However, knee scooters are unsuitable for stairs. If your home has multiple levels, crutches are the better choice. When using crutches on stairs, always lead up with the healthy leg and down with the crutches and injured leg, remembering the phrase “up with the good, down with the bad.”
Carrying items becomes a challenge since your hands are occupied supporting your weight. A large backpack or crossbody bag is the most effective solution for transporting anything substantial. For smaller objects, you can master the “three-finger hold,” using the thumb, index, and middle fingers to grip the object while maintaining contact with the crutch handgrip. Inside the home, consider using a serving cart or a rolling chair to push items from room to room, eliminating the need to carry them.
Conquering Daily Living: Hygiene and Practical Tasks
The bathroom presents the highest risk of falls during the non-weight bearing period. A shower chair or transfer bench provides a secure place to sit, reducing the risk of slipping on wet surfaces. Using a handheld shower nozzle allows you to wash effectively while remaining seated, keeping the injured leg elevated and dry.
For toileting, a raised toilet seat or a bedside commode can reduce the effort required to sit down and stand up, protecting your recovering limb from accidental weight bearing. Installing securely anchored grab bars near the toilet and in the shower provides stable points of contact for transfers. This is much safer than relying on towel racks. Always move slowly and deliberately in the bathroom, as it is a known high-risk area for falls.
Managing household chores like cooking and laundry requires planning and alternative methods. In the kitchen, prepare meals while seated, sliding items across the countertop instead of attempting to carry them. Pre-chopped ingredients and single-serving meals can reduce the time and effort needed. For laundry, use a backpack or a wheeled basket to transport clothes to the washing machine.
Navigating through doors also requires technique. When pulling a door open, use your crutch tip to block the door from swinging shut, then propel yourself through. To push a door, stand sideways and use your shoulder or body to push it open, then quickly move through before it closes.
Home Safety Modifications and Preparation
Preparing your living space minimizes fall risk. Completely clear all pathways, ensuring the route from your bed to the bathroom and kitchen is wide enough to accommodate your mobility aid without obstruction. This often requires temporarily moving furniture and decorative items.
Removing or securing all throw rugs, loose mats, and electrical cords is necessary, as these are common tripping hazards for mobility aids. Use brightly lit areas and consider installing nightlights or motion-sensor lights in hallways and the bathroom for safe navigation after dark. Creating a “command center” is beneficial, involving a designated area with everything you need within easy reach:
- Medications
- Water
- Remote controls
- Phone chargers
- Snacks
Ensure frequently used items in the kitchen and bedroom are stored at waist height to prevent awkward reaching or bending that could compromise your balance.
Maintaining Mental Well-being and Physical Condition
The six-week NWB period can be mentally taxing, leading to frustration and isolation, so prioritizing mental and physical health is necessary. To combat boredom, set small, achievable daily goals, such as completing a seated exercise routine or reaching out to a friend or family member. Accepting help from others for tasks like grocery shopping or carrying heavy items conserves your energy for healing.
Maintaining the strength and conditioning of the rest of your body prevents deconditioning. Consult with your medical professional to start a program of safe, non-weight bearing exercises. Examples include seated upper body strength training with light weights or resistance bands, and core exercises like gentle seated twists or abdominal bracing. Stationary indoor cycling or arm cycling provides an excellent cardiovascular workout without loading the affected leg.
For the injured limb, if permitted, perform gentle ankle pumps—moving the foot up and down—at least 10 times every hour to promote circulation. This movement helps reduce swelling and decreases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Maintaining adequate hydration and a nutrient-rich diet supports the body’s healing processes.