How do I get DH to use his crutches properly?! Or AIBU?

[ThereIsOnlyOne]

DH has spained his knee/possibly torn his MCL. Been to A&E, got knee brace, crutches and follow up on Monday.

I do not think he is using his crutches properly. He is walking very gingerly, on both legs, resting some of his weight on the crutches...but with arms/crutches out to the side, as if the crutches were sideways walking sticks, rather than forwards and swinging through.

It is clearly painful to use his knee, and surely the crutches are to help him rest/not use it.
He is also getting side pain (from his odd gait/arms out sideways).

DC and I mentioned he needs to use in a forward motion (crutches ahead, swing through) but he is saying he needs them for stability and he cannot risk twisting that swinging motion may cause.

Having been on crutches before (albeit from broken ankle, not knee) I think he is mistaken.

I think he has gone into "I am not listening mode" as we teased him about his weird gait on the first day (I know, unkind and misjudged, i have apologised). How can I get him to reconsider?

Any knee/physio/rehab expertise I can share with him please?

Is he following the instructions he was given? Which may have been to do as he is doing

He wasn't given any instructions....

Is he supposed to be non weight bearing or partial?

If he was told to be non-weight bearing then it does sound like he's doing the wrong thing by stepping lightly with both feet, are you sure he's supposed to be NWB?
If he is, then the injured leg should just sort of hang. He's probably hearing "swing through" as some over dramatic action. He could move the crutches forward a little and bring the non-injured leg to meet them, doesn't have to go past.
I'm vaguely professional in this area usually but I've got covid and my brain has turned to cotton wool sorry.

maybe he will listen to brad & bob?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=1HhZDNk2-Hw

they use american type under arm crutches but the swing through principle is the same.

He probably is NWB until his follow up, is the knee brace set to a particular extension?

This video is far closer to what the NHS recommends.

Swing through is for when you are not in agony and have mastered crutches.
I did the same injury as your DH and just the weight of my leg existing was torture for a while.

Weight bearing (but resting/gentle use) I think...he kind of shrugged when I asked him. From when I injured myself, they are very keen to tell you when absolutely not to Weight bear, and from Google, Weight bearing OK, but he needs to avoid twisting it (hence the brace).

Sounds like it's weight bearing as he can tolerate the pain, which is normal for a knee injury.
He should be putting crutches forwards, then his "bad" leg so he can then put weight through his arms and bring his "good" leg.
Crutches should be wide enough so he can fit his feet in between comfortably.
Hope this helps!

Thank you. You have given me the confidence to ask him to please watch an nhs video and rethink his use. Needed a sense check as wasn't sure if I was BU ( and slightly frustrated at him).