Does Fitbit count steps when you use crutches?

[SunsetRunner]

I'm having foot surgery on Friday and will not be able to put any weight on it for 2-4 weeks. I practiced with a knee scooter today and discovered that the Fitbit did not count any steps while using it. Now I'm wondering if it will count any if I use crutches?

[SteveH]

I've seen a few posts that suggest that fitbits will not be able to track your steps very well when using crutches. This is an example:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Flex/One-not-counting-steps-taken-with-crutches/m-p/282320/highlight...

The suggestion in that post is to manually log your steps which might be your best option until you are off the crutches. Note though that manually logged steps will not count towards challenges or badges.

[SunsetRunner]

My Charge HR does count my steps, but it is not counting the stairs.  It also has no way to know just how hard I'm working on the crutches for those steps compared to normal walking.

[AlvaroFitbit]

@SunsetRunner @SunsetRunner Welcome to our Community! What happens is that when you are using crutches your body doesn't move as it would when you are walking without them (something obvios I know) but I mention this because this is what the tracker sense and since it is not a normal movement it won't interpret it as walking. This is the reason you may not get your steps recorded. The same applies to floors climbed. It is necessary to do them at a "normal" speed and since you aren't able to climb them fast enough it may not detect the floors. Basically the best option is to log your walks like @SteveH suggested and I hope that your recovery is fast and without any complications.

Let me know how it goes!

[Gruffie13]

How do you manually log steps when using crutches or knee scooter?

[SunsetRunner]

Fitbit did not count all of my steps when I was on crutches. I calculated
that it was counting about 2/3 of steps I took. It didn't count stairs well
at all. That it only got maybe one our of five flights.

[FitJade]

It would be nice to be able to turn on a setting in FitBit for when we are injured, such as being on crutches -- I will be on them for 3 months. My tracker feels like it is chastizing me for not having as many steps as I used to... it would be nice to have tips on exercising while in the chair or on a sofa, and other encouragement during my down time. Thanks!

[MazzaP]

There are lots of chair exercises to do on a YouTube. There weight exercises and resistance band ones. Also chair dances - Zumba in the chair. These get your heart rate up and Fitbit counts arm movements as steps too