What is weight bearing? Putting weight on your affected (weaker)
leg is called “weight bearing.” Your physical therapist will
check one of the categories below. Read what is beneath the
category. This is your “weight-bearing status.” It tells if you
may or may not put any body weight on your affected leg. It also
tells you how much weight you may place on the affected leg.
Non-weight bearing (NWB) Place no weight on your affected leg.
Do not touch the floor with your affected leg. While you stand
or walk, you must hold your affected leg off the floor (see
Figure 1 at right). Touch-down weight bearing (TDWB), or toe-
touch weight bearing (TTWB) When you stand or walk, you may
touch the floor only for balance. Do not place actual weight on
your affected leg (see Figure 2 at left). Partial weight bearing
(PWB) When you stand or walk, you may place ____ percent of your
body weight ( _____ pounds) on your affected leg (see Figure 2
at left). Weight bearing as tolerated (WBAT), or weight bearing
to tolerance (WBTT)