Senior Health News Team · August 14, 2026
What This Video Teaches
Getting in and out of a chair on crutches requires a different technique depending on whether the chair has armrests. Both methods protect your injured leg, keep your crutches from sliding out from under you, and prevent falls during the transition. This works whether you’re recovering from a leg injury, managing a temporary mobility limitation, or building confidence with crutches for the first time.
The video demonstrates both techniques clearly, showing proper crutch placement, hand positioning, and weight distribution. By following this exact sequence, you reduce your risk of:
- Losing balance during the stand-up or sit-down transition
- Putting weight on your injured leg
- Crutches sliding on an unstable surface
- Falling backward or forward while lowering into the chair
Getting Up: Chair Without Armrests
Step 1: Scoot Forward
Action: Move yourself toward the front edge of the chair before attempting to stand. Being too far back makes it difficult to bring your body forward over your foot.
Why it matters: Starting too far back in the chair forces you to lean too far forward to stand, increasing your risk of losing balance.
Step 2: Position Your Crutches and Hands
Action: Bring both crutches to your unaffected side and hold them with one hand. Place your other hand on the seat of the chair for additional support.
Why it matters: Keeping both crutches together on one side frees your other hand to brace against the chair, giving you two points of stability instead of one.
Step 3: Stand Using Your Good Leg
Action: Put most of your weight through your uninjured leg, keep your injured leg forward and unweighted, and press down lightly through your hand on the chair. Count to three, then stand.
Why it matters: Your good leg does the actual lifting — the crutches and chair hand are there for balance, not for pushing yourself up.
Step 4: Reposition Your Crutches
Action: Once standing, move one crutch to the other side so you have one crutch under each arm before walking.
Why it matters: Standing on two crutches, rather than a hand on the chair, gives you full support before you start moving.
Getting Up: Chair With Armrests
Step 1: Scoot Forward
Action: Same as above — move to the front edge of the chair before standing.
Step 2: Position Your Crutches and Hand
Action: Hold both crutches together in one hand, making sure they rest on a stable, non-slippery surface. Place your other hand on the armrest.
Why it matters: The crutches provide light balance only — the armrest is your main support for pushing up.
Step 3: Push Up Through the Armrest
Action: Put weight through your good leg and push up through the armrest at the same time. Count to three, then stand.
Why it matters: The armrest gives you a stable, fixed point to push from, which is more reliable than pushing off crutches alone.
Step 4: Reposition Your Crutches
Action: Bring the second crutch to the other side once you’re fully standing.
Sitting Back Down
Action: Reverse the process — back up until you feel the chair touching the back of your legs, bring both crutches to one side (or keep one hand on the armrest), reach back for the chair or armrest, bend at the knee, and lower yourself slowly into the seat.
Why it matters: Backing up until you feel the chair confirms your position without needing to look behind you, which can throw off your balance.
What NOT to Do
✗ Don’t push off hard on your crutches to stand.
Crutches are for balance during this movement, not for bearing your full weight as you rise. Pushing off too hard can cause them to slide out from under you.
✗ Don’t attempt this on an unstable or slippery surface.
Always make sure your crutch tips are on solid, dry ground before starting the stand-up or sit-down sequence.
Tips for Success
- Scoot forward first: Always start by moving toward the edge of the chair — this single step makes the entire process easier and safer.
- Keep crutches together on one side: This frees your other hand for a second point of support.
- Move deliberately: Rushing increases your risk of losing balance during the transition.
- Check the surface: Confirm your crutch tips are on stable ground before you begin.
When to Seek Medical Help
Stop and contact your doctor if you experience:
- Sharp or worsening pain in your injured leg
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or arms from crutch use
- Persistent instability getting in or out of chairs
- Any fall or near-fall related to this movement
Download Your Action Plan: Print or save this guide to your phone for quick reference. Follow these steps every time you get in or out of a chair while using crutches.
About Senior Health News: We provide simple, evidence-based guidance on fall prevention for seniors and older adults. Our goal is to help you stay independent, active, and safe at home.
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