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Glossary term

Full weight-bearing (FWB)

A prescribed loading status with no weight limit through the limb; it does not necessarily mean safe independent walking.

Updated 2026-03-011 alias1 sourceUsed across articles and safety pages

Definition

Full weight-bearing means that the treating team has not imposed a weight limit through the limb for the specified phase. A patient may still need a walker, crutches, or another aid for balance, pain, weakness, or gait safety. Permission is device-, diameter-, bone-, phase-, imaging-, and patient-specific. It should not be inferred from a brand name or marketing description. [1]

Aliases

FWB

Updated 2026-03-01

Sources

Informational only. Not medical advice.

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