Crutches

Crutches are for people who need support while walking. For example, after leg surgery or injury. They then use one or two crutches.

When do you use crutches?

Crutches are intended to offload the affected (injured) leg after surgery or injury. Part of the body weight then rests on the crutch(es) instead of on that leg. Usually, you start with 2 crutches.

As the symptoms decrease, walking with crutches is phased out. The legs then carry more and more body weight. First, the load on the affected leg increases gradually while using 2 crutches. Then with 1 crutch, and after that the affected leg is fully loaded without crutches. This always happens in consultation with the doctor or physical therapist.

What different types of crutches are there?

There are 3 types of crutches, each supporting the body in a different way. The choice for a particular type of crutch depends on any symptoms in the arms or wrists.

• Forearm crutches. These are by far the most commonly used crutches. They have a handle to lean on. The crutch stops just below the elbow.
• Forearm (platform) crutches. With these, the forearms rest on the crutch instead of the hands. The elbows are bent at 90 degrees. These crutches are for people who cannot bear weight well on the wrists and hands due to, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or another condition.
• Axillary crutches. These crutches support in the armpits and therefore put less load on elbows and hands/wrists. These are also suitable for rheumatoid arthritis or another disorder of the wrist or hand.

How do you adjust the crutches correctly?

To walk well with crutches, it is important that they are properly adjusted.

Adjusting forearm crutches:

• Stand up straight with the crutches next to the body.
• Let the arms hang down relaxed.
• Adjust the crutches so that the handle is at wrist height.
• Then adjust the forearm section (cuff) so that it is about 5 cm below the elbow.

Adjusting forearm (platform) crutches:

• Stand up straight with the crutches next to the body.
• Let the arms hang down relaxed.
• Adjust the forearm trough at the level of the elbow crease.

Adjusting axillary crutches:

• Stand up straight with the crutches next to the body.
• Let the arms hang down relaxed.
• Adjust the support to the level of the armpit.
• Set the handgrips at wrist height.