Using crutches often causes pain in the hands, wrists, and underarm areas. Standard-issue crutches are frequently designed with basic materials and a one-size-fits-most approach, leading to friction and pressure injuries during prolonged use. Implementing practical, targeted modifications can substantially improve the user experience, transforming a painful necessity into a more manageable aid for recovery. These adjustments focus on optimizing the fit and customizing the contact points to minimize strain and maximize comfort.
Ensuring Proper Crutch Fit and Adjustment
Correct crutch sizing is essential for preventing pain and potential injury. When standing upright, the top of the crutch should rest approximately two to three finger-widths (1.5 to 2 inches) below the armpit. This ensures that the axillary pad acts as a balance point and not a weight-bearing surface.
The hand grips must be positioned to allow the hands and arms to absorb the body’s weight. To determine the proper height, the user should stand with arms relaxed at their sides; the top of the grip should align with the wrist crease or hip level.
When gripping the handles, the elbow should have a slight bend, ideally around 30 degrees. This angle allows for the optimal transfer of body weight through the hands, preventing the user from inadvertently leaning onto the underarm pads. Failure to adhere to these adjustments can lead to nerve compression in the armpit, a condition known as crutch palsy.
Customizing the Hand Grips
The hands bear the majority of the body’s weight during crutch use, making the quality and cushioning of the hand grips a major source of discomfort. The thin, hard rubber on standard crutches concentrates pressure on the palms, leading to soreness and fatigue. Customizing these grips significantly improves pressure distribution and comfort.
Simple, do-it-yourself solutions include wrapping the existing grips with dense materials like thick foam or a sponge secured firmly with heavy-duty tape. This increases the surface area over which the force is distributed, reducing peak pressure points. For a more permanent and ergonomic modification, commercial options like specialized crutch grip covers or anatomically shaped ergonomic grips are available.
These commercial grips are often made from gel or memory foam designed to mold to the user’s palm. Additionally, selecting a grip material that is slightly tacky or using padded gloves can prevent the hands from slipping. A non-slip surface reduces the need for the user to constantly clench the grips, which minimizes muscle strain in the wrists and forearms.
Relieving Pressure on the Underarms
Targeted cushioning of the underarm pads remains beneficial for managing friction and accidental contact, even though proper fitting eliminates weight-bearing in the axillary region. The axillary region contains the brachial plexus, a network of nerves and blood vessels, making it highly sensitive to sustained pressure. Using the hands to push down on the hand grips, rather than resting the armpits on the pads, is the correct technique.
To prevent irritation, users can add cushioning using commercial products like slip-on sheepskin, memory foam wraps, or high-density gel pads. These accessories are designed to conform to the body’s contour, reducing friction and absorbing micro-shocks. A makeshift solution involves securing thick, rolled-up socks or a soft, tightly wrapped cloth beneath the existing pad, taking care not to reduce the two-finger gap.
Maintaining an upright posture and consciously using the arms to slightly lift the body during walking helps keep the underarm pads from pressing into the body. Resting weight on the axillary pads can lead to nerve damage, emphasizing that the padding’s role is strictly for comfort and protection against rubbing, not for supporting body weight.