Weight-bearing
Template:Short description Weight-bearing or weightbearing refers to the act of putting the structural load of one's own weight onto one or more parts of the body. In biology, it usually refers to a terrestrial animal supporting the position and posture of its own core against gravity using limbs, legs or other appendages. In bipedal animals such as humans, weight-bearing is predominantly performed by the lower limbs.
In clinical medicine, particularly the field of orthopedics and physiotherapy, the term is used to describe the amount of weight a patient can safely put on an injured body part. Generally, it refers to a leg, ankle or foot that has been fractured or upon which surgery has been performed, but the term can also be used to refer to resting on an arm or a wrist. In general, it is described as a percentage of the body weight, because each leg of a healthy person carries the full body weight when walking, in an alternating fashion.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". For example, after surgery on the hip, leg, ankle or foot, it is of the utmost importance for recovery to get the right amount of weight-bearing when moving around with crutches or frames in order to prevent accidental bone displacement and malunion[1]
The grades of weight-bearing for each phase of recovery will be determined by the surgeon. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill can allow testing of weight bearing by lowering effective body weight in 1% increments from 100 to 20% of body weight.[2]
Grades
- Non-weight-bearing (NWB): The leg must not touch the floor and is not permitted to support any weight at all.[3] The patient may hop on the other leg or use crutches or other devices for mobility. In this grade, 0% of the body weight may be rested on the leg.
- Touch-down weight-bearing or Toe-touch weight-bearing: The foot or toes may touch the floor (such as to maintain balance), but not support any weight.[3] Do not place actual weight on the affected leg. Imagine having an egg underfoot that one is not to crush.
- Partial weight-bearing: A small amount of weight may be supported by the affected leg.[3] The weight may be gradually increased up to 50% of the body weight, which would permit the affected person to stand with his body weight evenly supported by both feet (but not to walk).
- Weight-bearing as tolerated: Usually assigned to people that can support from 50 to 100% of the body weight on the affected leg, the affected person independently chooses the weight supported by the extremity.[3] The amount tolerated may vary according to the circumstances.
- Full weight-bearing: The leg can now carry 100% of the body weight, which permits normal walking.[3]