Crutches

Crutches are for people who need support while walking. For example after an operation or injury to the leg. They then use 1 or 2 crutches.

When do you use crutches?

Crutches are intended to offload the affected (injured) leg after an operation 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 more and more 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 physiotherapist.

Which different types of crutches are there?

There are 3 types of crutches that all support the body in a different way. The choice of a particular type of crutch depends on any symptoms in the arms or wrists.

• Elbow 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 gutter crutches. Here, the forearms rest on the crutch instead of the hands. The elbows are bent at 90 degrees. These crutches are for people who cannot lean well on the wrists and hands due to, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or another condition.
• Axillary crutches. These crutches rest in the armpits and are therefore less stressful for elbows and hands/wrists. These are also suitable in rheumatoid arthritis or another disorder of the wrist or hand.

How do you adjust the crutches correctly?

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

Adjusting elbow crutches:

• Stand upright with the crutches next to the body.
• Let the arms hang relaxed downwards.
• Adjust the crutches so that the handle is at the level of the wrist.
• Then adjust the forearm section (cuff) so that it sits about 5 cm below the elbow.

Adjusting forearm gutter crutches:

• Stand upright with the crutches next to the body.
• Let the arms hang relaxed downwards.
• Set the forearm support at the level of the elbow crease.

Adjusting axillary crutches:

• Stand upright with the crutches next to the body.
• Let the arms hang relaxed downwards.
• Set the support at armpit height.
• Set the handles at wrist height.