WBAT stands for Weight Bearing As Tolerated.
What does WBAT mean?
WBAT stands for Weight Bearing As Tolerated, meaning a patient can put as much weight on a limb as they can comfortably manage.
WBAT stands for Weight Bearing As Tolerated. It is an instruction, often after injury or surgery to a leg or foot, meaning the patient can put as much weight on that limb as they can comfortably manage, guided by their own comfort and pain.
Weight bearing status is important after orthopaedic surgery or fractures. WBAT is one of several levels, which range from non weight bearing (no weight at all) through partial weight bearing to full weight bearing. WBAT gives the patient freedom to load the limb as it feels safe, which supports recovery while avoiding harm.
WBAT often appears alongside mobility terms such as AMB (ambulate) and OOB (out of bed), and is guided by the surgical or therapy team.
When is WBAT used?
Used in orthopaedics and physiotherapy after injury or surgery to describe how much weight a patient may put on a limb.
Frequently asked questions
What does WBAT mean?
WBAT means Weight Bearing As Tolerated, so a patient loads a limb as much as they comfortably can.
What does WBAT stand for?
WBAT stands for Weight Bearing As Tolerated.
When is WBAT used?
It is used after leg or foot injury or surgery to guide how much weight to put on the limb.
How is WBAT different from non weight bearing?
Non weight bearing means no weight at all, while WBAT allows as much as is comfortable.
Who decides WBAT?
The surgical or therapy team sets the weight bearing status.