Weight-bearing status
Formal Definition
A physician order specifying the degree to which a patient may load the affected extremity after fracture, surgery, or injury; common designations include non-weight-bearing (NWB), toe-touch weight-bearing (TTWB), partial weight-bearing (PWB), weight-bearing as tolerated (WBAT), and full weight-bearing (FWB).
How It's Used on the Ward
"What's the weight-bearing status?" — asked by nurses, PT/OT, and the patient's family every time an ortho patient is admitted; getting this wrong leads to re-fracture and surgical complications.
Example
""Post-op day 1 from right hip ORIF: weight-bearing as tolerated on the right, physical therapy to evaluate for assistive device, DVT prophylaxis with enoxaparin, wound check in 2 weeks.""
Clinical Context
Weight-bearing orders directly impact nursing care (transfers, ambulation) and physical therapy goals. NWB: no weight through the extremity at all. TTWB: toe to floor for balance only (~10–15% body weight). PWB: specific percentage (e.g., 50%) — hard for patients to gauge. WBAT: patient determines based on pain — most common post-op for stable repairs. FWB: no restriction. Document clearly; ambiguous orders are patient safety events.
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