NWB

Medical abbreviation · Rehabilitation

NWB
Stands forNon-weight bearing
CategoriesMedical

NWB stands for Non-weight bearing, a rehabilitation abbreviation.

Strict order that the affected limb must bear no weight at all, so the foot (or hand) must not touch the ground when standing or walking. It protects fractures, repairs and wounds while they heal.

Example: NWB LLE: hop-to gait with walker, foot held off floor.

Usage notes

Patients use walkers, crutches, knee scooters or wheelchairs, and older adults may lack the strength to hop safely. Arm weight-bearing restrictions, such as "NWB RUE", also affect walker use. Accidental weight bearing should be reported to the surgeon.

More rehabilitation abbreviations

  • Mod I – Modified independent
  • NDD – National Dysphagia Diet
  • NDI – Neck Disability Index
  • NDT – Neurodevelopmental treatment
  • NMES – Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
  • NTL – Nectar-thick liquids
  • ODI – Oswestry Disability Index
  • OKC – Open kinetic chain
  • OT – Occupational therapy
  • PLOF – Prior level of function
  • PM&R – Physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • PNF – Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

See all 98 rehabilitation abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.