Getting Around with a Broken Leg: Tips for Adults

A broken leg can take weeks or months to heal and often comes with instructions from your doctor to avoid putting pressure on the leg. This is easy to understand in theory, but how are you going to get upstairs to bed, do the grocery shopping or do any activities of daily living when you've got a broken leg? Here are some tips to make getting around easier while you wait for your broken leg to heal.

Aids to Help You Get Around With a Broken Leg

Crutches are cumbersome and require upper body strength that many adults just don't have. An alternative to crutches is a walker, which provides more stability and is much easier to use than crutches. Another option is a walking cane, although you'll want to wait until you're doctor allows you to put some light pressure on your broken leg, since you may need to touch your leg to the ground now and then to maintain balance. A wheelchair or scooter can be also be used. You'll most likely find a wheelchair or scooter cumbersome at home, so they may be better used for outdoors or while shopping. Walkers and wheelchairs can be rented short term from medical supply stores if you don't know someone who can lend you one until you are back on both of your feet.

How to Get Up and Down Stairs With a Broken Leg

Stairs can present the biggest challenge for adults with a broken leg. Hopping up or down stairs on one leg is impractical and dangerous. Set your pride aside and put your bottom to good use by sliding up and down stairs in a seated position. To get up the stairs, sit on one of the bottom-most steps and place your hands on the step directly behind you. Gently lift yourself to next step using your arms and your other leg. Repeat until you get to the top, and take a moment to rest if you have several steps on your staircase.

To get down the steps, sit on the floor and slide towards the first step. Gently slide down to the next step, using your hands and your good leg to keep yourself from sliding too quickly. Have a loved one bring your walker or cane up or down the stairs for you, or have one for lower level walking and the other for upper level walking.

Shopping With a Broken Leg

Most shopping venues, such as grocery stores or shopping malls, have scooters available for people who have difficulty getting around. If you are going shopping with a loved one, she can fetch and return the scooter for you.

If you need to shop and are alone, call ahead to the store and let them know you are coming. If you have a cell phone, you can call from the parking lot and an attendant will bring the scooter to you. Otherwise, give them an estimated time of arrival and ask for someone to stand outside the entrance to assist you. Don't be embarrassed about making such a request - the store will be more than happy to help out and get your business!

Breaking your leg puts limits on what you can do, but with the right tips and tools you should be able to return to your daily activities while you wait for your broken leg to heal. Keep in mind that most people will empathize with your plight and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!