Crutches 101

Walk Like a Pro After Surgery

1.      Get the right fit

-        Start with the crutch height, don’t believe the height on the crutch - take the time to measure for yourself

• Standing upright, place the crutch under your arm with 2 or 3 fingers between the top of the crutch and your armpit.

-        Next move on to the handle height, let your arm dangle at your side to start

• The handle should land at your wrist crease, so when you hold on you should have a small bend in your elbow.

2.      Don’t hang off your armpits

-        All the important nerves and blood vessels for your arms go through your armpits

• If you place too much weight into the tops of the crutches you can injure the nerves or blood vessels

-        Instead of having the weight go through your armpits, you want the weight to go into your ribs. The pressure of the crutches should be into your upper arms and ribs and not into your armpits

• Not only does this prevent numb and cold fingers, but it will keep the crutches secure preventing them from slipping out

3.      Support your new knee with the crutches

-        Every step with your new knee should line up with your crutches, that way you can take as much weight into your hands as needed to support your leg

-        As your leg strength improves, you can just use your arms less and less

Once you’re moving well enough to only need 1 crutch – don’t make the mistake of putting it on the wrong side!!

-        The crutch should be on the opposite side to your new knee, still lining up the crutch with your foot to provide as much support as you need.

-        So when you step your arms are moving opposite to your legs

• This will match the way you naturally walk –  don’t believe me… give it a try! As you walk swing your arms and notice that your arms and legs are moving opposite each other.

More of a visual learner...

Watch the video below for all the details!

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“Sympathy is a crutch, never fake a limp” - unknown