(HealthDay News) - Certain injuries require the use of crutches. But learning to use them can be a challenge.

Here are suggestions from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to help you get around on crutches:

• When standing up straight, your crutches should reach to about 1 inch from your armpits, and the hand grips should be level to about the top of your hips.
• Keep your elbows slightly bent when holding the hand grips (they should naturally bend if the crutches are the right size).
• Put most of your weight and pressure on your hands, rather than on your armpits.
• Begin walking by positioning the crutches about 12 inches in front of you, and swing your body forward between the crutches, leading with the injured leg.
• When sitting down, back yourself up and gently lower yourself down into a sitting position, being careful to protect your injured leg.

-- Diana Kohnle

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