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Stuck using crutches after a leg injury? You may soon find that, in addition to the injury itself, you're dealing with discomfort from constantly leaning on your new supports. However, by adding extra cushioning and using your crutches in ways that minimize discomfort, you can make the recovery process much more comfortable.
Steps
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Use rolled-up towels or blankets as cushions. One of the oldest, simplest, and most effective ways to make a pair of crutches more comfortable is to make improvised cushions from spare pieces of fabric. There's no "right" fabric for the job—you can use towels, pieces of an old blanket, or even small pillows. Below is an example of how you might do this for a pair of crutches:
- Cut out 2 3 feet (0.91 m) by 3 feet (0.9 m) pieces of an old blanket.
- Roll both pieces of fabric into loose rolls that are slightly wider than the top portions of the crutches.
- Use a sturdy tape (like packing tape or duct tape) to tape each roll over the top of one of the crutches. Tape the fabric in place tightly—if it slides around while you move, it can affect your posture and lead to further discomfort.
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Put cushioning underneath the current crutch pads, if present. Many crutches come with a removable foam pad on top that's meant to fit under your arm. Another way to add cushioning to an uncomfortable set of crutches is to take these pads off, stuff them with cushioning material, and put them back on. This may be difficult or impossible for some crutches, so be careful not to damage your crutches by forcing the pads off or on.
- You can use wadded-up fabric to cushion your crutches in this way, or other materials like cotton, stuffing from an old comforter, and so on.
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Invest in a set of commercial crutch pads for greater comfort. It's no secret in the medical community that crutches can be uncomfortable. Because of this, there is a small market for cushioning devices that can be used to make crutches more comfortable. These are usually made from foam, gel, or a breathable fabric material and are reasonably affordable—a complete set often goes for about $30. [1] X Research source
- You can purchase basic crutch accessories at many pharmacies, but for a better selection of products, it may be wiser to go online, where you have access to a huge variety of materials, sizes, patterns, and so on. Shopping online, you can even buy high-fashion crutch pads, like sets made from faux fur.
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Cushion the grip areas as well, if needed. Your underarms aren't the only parts of your body that can get sore when you're using crutches. Since you're supporting much of your weight on your palms, it's also common for the hands to start hurting during crutch use. Luckily, cushioning the grip bars can reduce this discomfort somewhat.
- You can use improvised cushions (taped towels or rags) or commercial pads for this. However, the latter may be the be the better choice, since it's important that you're able to have a firm grip on your crutches to avoid a fall. Many commercial crutch pads feature ergonomic materials and shapes designed to give you a better grip on the crutches.
- Cushioning the grip area can be even more important on forearm crutches, since these put more of your weight on your hands.
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Adjust your crutches to the correct height. Even cushioned crutches can be a pain to use if they don't fit you properly. Luckily, nearly all modern crutches have easy-to-use telescoping portions that allow you to adjust the height. The proper height for your crutches depends on how tall you are and what kind of crutches you use. [2] X Research source For example:
- Underarm crutches:
Wear the shoes that you use for day-to-day life and stand upright. Slide the crutches under your arms and put the tips a few inches or centimeters in front of your feet. Adjust the crutches so that they rest just 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) beneath your armpits. [3]
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Expert Source
Mayami Oyanagi
Physical Therapist Expert Interview. 27 January 2021. A friend can help here. The crutches should not jut up into your armpits. - Forearm crutches: Wear the shoes that you use for day-to-day life and stand upright. Slide the crutches onto your arms and grasp the handles. Flex your elbow so that the inside of your wrist is level with your hip at about a 30° angle. Adjust the crutch so that it touches the floor in this position. The armrest should support the largest part of your forearm and the handle should be level with your wrist.
- Underarm crutches:
Wear the shoes that you use for day-to-day life and stand upright. Slide the crutches under your arms and put the tips a few inches or centimeters in front of your feet. Adjust the crutches so that they rest just 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) beneath your armpits. [3]
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Expert Source
Mayami Oyanagi
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Make sure you're holding the crutches correctly. Wrist or hand pain can be a sign that you're holding the crutches in a way that puts unnecessary stress on these parts of your body. Using proper grip form should minimize this pain. When using either underarm or forearm crutches:
- You should maintain a slight bend in your elbows while you use your crutches. Your forearms should be straight from the elbow through the wrist. Don't curl your wrists as you use the crutches.
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Pay attention to your gait. Having an off-kilter gait when walking normally can be a sign of other underlying problems and can lead to persistent, long-lasting pain. [4] X Research source These problems are exacerbated when using crutches, which modify your normal gait by design. Maintaining proper posture throughout the walking motion is crucial to your ongoing comfort. While there are some differences in proper gait depending on the type of crutches you use, similar rules apply for the most common types. For example: [5] X Research source
- Underarm crutches: Grasp the crutches securely. Stand on your uninjured leg and set the crutches 1 step ahead. Lean forward as you use the crutches to swing yourself forward. Land on your uninjured leg about a step ahead of where your crutches touch the ground. Swing the crutches forward and repeat. Keep your injured leg off of the ground at all times.
- Forearm crutches: Grasp the crutches securely. Stand on your uninjured leg and set the crutches 1 step ahead. Lean forward, put your weight onto the crutches, and swing your body forward. Use your forearms to maintain your balance and control during the swinging motion. Land on your uninjured leg about a step ahead of where your crutches touch the ground. As with underarm crutches, keep your injured leg off of the ground at all times.
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Let your body "follow through" with each step. Taking steps with a set of crutches can take some getting used to before you're able to do it in a way that doesn't put any unnecessary stress on your joints. As you make contact with the ground, landing on your uninjured foot, try to keep your joints (especially your elbows and the knee on your uninjured leg) "loose" without collapsing your posture. Allowing your joints to bend slightly with each step will take some of the stress of walking off of them, preventing discomfort.
- You don't want to have stiff or locked joints when you make contact with the ground. This increases the physical impact your joints feel with each step and will quickly cause soreness.
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Take extra care on stairs. It's no wonder that certain everyday tasks become extra-hard when you're using crutches. Knowing the proper way to go about doing these tasks won't just keep you more comfortable—it will also minimize the chance for injuries. For instance, climbing a set of stairs can be harrowing on crutches, so use the following mnemonics to help you remember how to accomplish this task:
- Step on the GAS going up. First, step with your G ood leg, then lift your A ffected leg, then move your S ticks
- Let yourself SAG going down. First, move your S ticks, then move your A ffected leg, then step with your G ood leg.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I walk with crutches to make it less painful?Mayami Oyanagi is a Physical Therapist and the owner of PT STOP Physical Therapy & Wellness, an individualized physical therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 14 years of experience, Mayami specializes in orthopedic injuries, manual therapy, and sports medicine. She holds an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. Mayami is also a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She treats the root cause of her client’s problems by utilizing biomechanical assessments.This is the kind of thing you'll need to talk to your doctor about. The way you walk with crutches will depend on what kind of injury you're recovering from.
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QuestionHow can I prevent soreness after using crutches all day?Mayami Oyanagi is a Physical Therapist and the owner of PT STOP Physical Therapy & Wellness, an individualized physical therapy practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 14 years of experience, Mayami specializes in orthopedic injuries, manual therapy, and sports medicine. She holds an MS in Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. Mayami is also a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She treats the root cause of her client’s problems by utilizing biomechanical assessments.Stretch and move around a bit before and after you use the crutches. It can be really exhausting to be on crutches for a long period of time, so you need to keep your body loose. This is the best way to prevent soreness and pain from being on crutches for an extended period of time.
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QuestionI'm getting knee surgery soon, and the doctors are making me use crutches for about a month. Are there any ways to make them comfortable, but for a long period of time?Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.It may take a while for you to get used to the crutches, especially if you need to be mobile and use them for a long time. First, rest your weight on your hands, and position your armpits about an inch (2.5 cm) above the top of the crutches. This prevents pain in your underarms. Second, keep your elbows slightly bent when holding hand grips. Third, you may want to invest in crutch pads to support your underarms, hands and wrists. When using crutches for long periods of time, additional good quality padding can be a lifesaver. Also, always practice good posture and body mechanics, even if it takes an extra effort.
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Tips
- Consider investing in a properly-fitting backpack if you find yourself wearing crutches. Struggling to carry a bag or a poorly-fitting backpack on crutches can easily lead to muscle soreness (and accidents). You may even want to consider buying pocket accessories for your crutches to help you carry your possessions without throwing off your gait.Thanks
- Note that you may need to readjust your crutches once you add cushioning to them.Thanks
- If you take off your shoes, don't forget to adjust the height of your crutches to compensate. Even this minor change can make a big difference in your comfort.Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://www.amazon.com/b?node=3776771
- ↑ http://justwalkers.com/crutches-tips/
- ↑ Mayami Oyanagi. Physical Therapist. Expert Interview. 27 January 2021.
- ↑ http://stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu/the25/gait.html
- ↑ http://justwalkers.com/crutches-tips/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make your crutches more comfortable, roll up pieces of fabric into loose rolls and tape them to the top of your crutches for extra support and cushioning. If your crutches come with removable foam pads, take them off, stuff them with cushioning material, and put them back in place. You can also purchase commercial crutch pads made out of foam or gel for a more comfortable fit. Additionally, cushion the grip areas with pads, towels, or rags to keep your hands from hurting. To learn how to adjust your crutches to the proper height, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I tore my calf muscle, but kept getting bruises and lower back pain with extended use. I made corrections. I learned from this article and have no more issues. I loved the tips, too! " ..." more
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"I tore my calf muscle, but kept getting bruises and lower back pain with extended use. I made corrections. I learned from this article and have no more issues. I loved the tips, too! "
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