Thanks, I guess I dont remember that.
However, I do recall he would use those metal crutches from time to time to stand upright.
Those braces are the reason his pants are exceedingly long. The braces were painted black so that they would blend with his shoes and the long pant cut served to cover as much of the braces as possible. The press were very willing accomplices in helping him hide the extend of his handicap. He could walk still at this time with the braces, but it was incredibly slow and cumbersome looking, yet we don’t find any footage of that anywhere.
Do a search on “FDR leg braces.” Also check out how baggy his pant legs are in that photo.