After surgery you will need to use a gait aid while you walk. Whether you use crutches or a walker will depend on things like your home environment, your balance, etc.
When using a walker, it is important to remember that a walker is primarily used when walking on level ground. A walker can be used safely to climb a step if the step is deep enough to accommodate all four legs of the walker at the same time.
To walk with a walker:
- Move the walker first, making sure all four legs are on the ground
- Move your operated leg next into the middle of the walker
- Putting the allowed weight on your operated leg and the rest of your weight through the handles of the walker, move your good leg forward, even with your operated leg
