NWB Medical Term: What It Stands For

What Does NWB Mean in Medical Terms

NWB stands for Non-Weight Bearing.

In medical and rehabilitation settings, it means that no weight should be placed on the affected leg, foot, or joint. The injured area must not touch the ground, even for balance.

Doctors use this instruction to protect healing bones, ligaments, or tendons after an injury or surgery. It gives the body time to recover without additional strain that could slow healing or cause more damage.

When Doctors Use the Term NWB

The term NWB is commonly used when patients are recovering from injuries or surgeries that require complete rest of a limb. Doctors and physiotherapists prescribe NWB when any pressure or load could disrupt healing.

Common situations include:

• After fractures or broken bones
• Following joint replacement or repair surgeries
• During recovery from severe ligament or tendon injuries
• When treating foot or ankle conditions that need strict immobilization

Levels of Weight-Bearing Instructions

NWB is one level of a broader set of weight-bearing categories that guide how much pressure a patient can safely place on an injured limb. These terms help healthcare providers tailor recovery plans step by step.

Here are the common levels:

• NWB (Non-Weight Bearing): No weight should be placed on the limb at all.
• TTWB (Toe-Touch Weight Bearing): Only the toes may touch the floor lightly for balance, without supporting body weight.
• PWB (Partial Weight Bearing): A small portion of body weight, usually set by the doctor (for example, 25–50%), can rest on the limb.
• WBAT (Weight Bearing As Tolerated): The patient can place as much weight as feels comfortable without pain.
• FWB (Full Weight Bearing): The patient can safely place full weight on the limb and resume normal walking.

What Does Non-Weight Bearing Involve

How It’s Practiced

When you’re told to stay non-weight bearing, it means the affected leg must not touch the ground at all. Even a small amount of pressure can slow healing.

To move around safely, patients use assistive devices such as:

• Crutches
• Walkers
• Wheelchairs

These tools keep weight completely off the injured area while maintaining balance and mobility. Proper training from a physiotherapist ensures they’re used safely and effectively.

Common Conditions Requiring NWB

Doctors often prescribe NWB for a variety of conditions and procedures, including:

• Fractures and bone injuries
• Tendon or ligament repairs
• Post-operative recovery after orthopedic surgeries
• Joint replacements where stability is critical during early healing

But use NWB only if your doctor recommends it, since one study reported slower early recovery with NWB than with early weight-bearing.

When NWB Status Changes

NWB, or non-weight bearing, is usually a temporary stage in recovery. As healing progresses, doctors or physiotherapists gradually allow you to place small amounts of weight on the injured limb. This process is carefully planned to prevent stress on healing tissues.

The transition often moves through stages — from NWB to Partial Weight Bearing (PWB), and finally to Full Weight Bearing (FWB). Each step depends on how well the injury is healing and how much strength has returned to the muscles and joints.

Your doctor might order follow-up imaging tests, such as X-rays or scans, to check bone and tissue recovery before changing your weight-bearing status. Regular checkups and physical assessments help ensure that progress is safe and steady, minimizing the risk of setbacks or re-injury.

When to Talk to a Doctor

If you’re recovering from an injury and following NWB instructions, it’s important to stay alert for warning signs that may suggest complications.

Contact your doctor if you notice:

• Persistent or worsening pain
• Swelling that doesn’t improve
• Redness, warmth, or unusual discharge around a surgical site
• Numbness or tingling in the affected limb
• Difficulty using assistive devices or maintaining balance