What term describes a physician's order that allows partial weight bearing on a limb?

• A. Toe-Touch Weight Bearing
• B. Partial Weight Bearing (PWB)
• C. Full Weight Bearing (FWB)
• D. Non-Weight Bearing (NWB)

Answer: (B)

Weight-bearing status describes how much load a patient is allowed to place on an injured limb as ordered by a physician. Partial Weight Bearing means some weight is allowed on the limb, with a specific limit provided by the clinician (often given as a portion of body weight or a maximum number of pounds) and typically with assistive devices like crutches or a walker to keep within that limit. This approach helps protect healing tissues while still enabling movement and gradual strengthening. Toe-Touch Weight Bearing allows only a light touch of the toes to the floor for balance and does not permit meaningful weight through the leg, so it is not considered partial weight bearing. Full Weight Bearing means the patient can place all the weight on the limb as tolerated, and Non-Weight Bearing means no weight is placed on the limb at all.