Orthopedics Physical Therapy Weight-Bearing Restrictions and Activity After Surgery By Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. Learn about our editorial process Laura Inverarity, DO Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT on January 25, 2020 linkedin Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist currently working in New York at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, an affiliate of New York Presbyterian. Learn about our Medical Review Board Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT Updated on February 07, 2020 Print After lower extremity surgery, your orthopedic doctor may limit the amount of weight you can place on your operated leg. This restriction is necessary to provide adequate time for proper bone or tissue healing to occur. It also allows for any hardware that was placed during the surgical procedure to remain in the proper position. Brand Images / ERProdcutions / Getty Images Different Weight-Bearing Restrictions Understanding the different weight-bearing restriction types, as well as how to perform them, is often confusing. So what are weight-bearing restrictions, and how do you navigate from non-weight-bearing to full weight-bearing after injury or surgery? It is a good idea to check with your doctor or physical therapist (PT) to understand your specific weight-bearing restrictions and how to maintain them properly. Studies have shown that compliance with these restrictions is low, but can have serious consequences. It is important to closely adhere to your weight-bearing restrictions after surgery or injury because otherwise you can disrupt healing and delay your recovery. These restrictions are meant to protect your body as it is healing. Non-Weight-Bearing Non-weight-bearing means that no weight can be placed on the operated leg. This is the most restrictive of all weight-bearing limitations. Since you are not able to bear any weight on the leg, an assistive device, such as a walker or crutches, will be necessary for you to walk. When walking with your walker or crutches, keep your affected knee bent and keep your toes off the floor. No weight means no weight; even the slightest bit of pressure on your leg can cause problems. 10 Tips to Properly Use Your Crutches Toe-Touch Weight-Bearing Toe-touch weight-bearing means that only the toes on your operated leg should contact the ground. This is for balance only, however, and thus no significant amount of weight should be placed on your toes. As a result, an assistive device such as a walker or crutches will again be necessary for you to walk. Your toes are only used for slight balance and steadiness. Partial Weight-Bearing Partial weight-bearing allows you to place half of your weight on the operated extremity. Begin by using a scale to see how much pressure is on your affected leg when half of your weight is placed on it. Use your assistive device to stand with slight pressure on your leg. Your physical therapist can help you with progressive partial weight-bearing. Sometimes your doctor may give specifics when prescribing partial weight-bearing. They may prescribe 25% weight-bearing, 50% weight-bearing, or 75% weight-bearing. Your PT can help you get a feel for how much weight should be placed on your leg. Make a mental note of this, and limit the pressure placed on your operated leg during walking to this restriction. As full weight-bearing is still not allowed, crutches, a cane, or walker can help you walk without losing your balance. How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Recovery Full Weight-Bearing Full weight-bearing allows you to place all of your weight on the operated extremity. There are no restrictions in regards to the amount of weight placed on the leg, therefore assistive devices are usually not necessary. If you have been walking with a cane or crutches, you may not want to simply throw those things away, as you may need them to progress from partial to full weight-bearing. Sometimes progressing from partial to full weight-bearing can make your muscles a little sore, so expect this. Your PT can help you safely progress from partial to full weight-bearing. Risks of Non-Compliance If you fail to appropriately maintain your weight-bearing status, you could risk causing further injury or jeopardizing the success of your surgery. Of course, if you accidentally place your foot on the floor when you are supposed to be non-weight-bearing, you most likely have done no damage. Simply assess your situation, and return to your previous weight-bearing status. Signs that you need to see your doctor if you accidentally break your weight-bearing status may include: Increased pain in your injured or operated leg An increase in redness or swelling in your leg Difficulty moving around that causes more pain If you have broken weight-bearing precautions after an injury or surgery, it's best to err on the side of caution. Give your doctor a call and explain what has happened. A Word From Verywell After injury or surgery, your doctor may limit your weight-bearing as things are healing. Take a moment to learn about different weight-bearing restrictions, and work closely with your physical therapist to properly progress your weight-bearing status as directed by your doctor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get exercise tips to make your workouts less work and more fun. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Braun BJ, Veith NT, Rollmann M, et al. Weight-bearing recommendations after operative fracture treatment-fact or fiction? Gait results with and feasibility of a dynamic, continuous pedobarography insole. Int Orthop. 2017;41(8):1507-1512. doi:10.1007/s00264-017-3481-7 Hustedt JW, Blizzard DJ, Baumgaertner MR, Leslie MP, Grauer JN. Current advances in training orthopaedic patients to comply with partial weight-bearing instructions. Yale J Biol Med. 2012;85(1):119–125.