The Best Crutches

Often used after a foot or leg injury, crutches are a mobility aid that transfer weight from the lower to the upper body. Walking aids come in a variety of types, including forearm crutches, underarm crutches, and foldable crutches. Take a look at our list of the best crutches for walking, and keep active during your recovery.

What Types of Crutches are Best?

On average, a person usually ends up using crutches from four to twelve weeks following a physical trauma. What type of crutches you opt for depends on your injury and personal preference. With this in mind, here are the most common crutch types on the market.

• Underarm Crutches

  Also known as axillary crutches or armpit crutches, these crutches come with underarm pads and parallel hand grips. While some underarm pads come with a cushioned cover, sometimes arm pads can become uncomfortable after prolonged use. In this case, it is best to place a towel or a soft cloth between your armpits and the pads to prevent nerve damage.

• Forearm Crutches

  Forearm crutches feature forearm cuffs and hand grips. They are shorter than underarm crutches, and distribute weight along the arms. They are also generally lighter and more comfortable than traditional crutches. On the downside, they tend to require more upper body strength than underarm crutches.

• Foldable And Adjustable Crutches

  Ideal for those who travel, foldable crutches are usually both portable and lightweight. This makes them ideal for car or plane journeys. Some crutches are also height adjustable to fit both tall and short individuals. Customizable crutches are often adjustable in one-inch increments.

How to Use Crutches

Provided they are used correctly, crutches will reduce weight on your injured leg or foot, and improve your stability as you get around. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your crutches.

• Walking

  Place your weight on your healthy leg and the upper body. Move the crutches forward, so they are around a foot in front of you. Shift your weight to your arms and swing yourself through the crutches. Shift your weight to the healthy leg before repeating the movement. When walking on crutches, look straight ahead and not down on your feet.

• Sitting

  To sit down, stand with your back to the chair. Hold both crutches in the hand on your injured side and balance on your uninjured leg. Grab the armrest or the side of the chair, before slowly lowering yourself down. To stand up, slide to the front of the chair. Once again, hold both crutches with the hand on your injured side. Use the other hand to push yourself up onto your strong leg. Place your weight on the uninjured leg while you place the crutches in position.

• Stairs

  While it is best to avoid stairs while on crutches, this may not always be possible. To go up, step up with your strong leg before bringing your crutches up and following with your weak leg. To go down, place your crutches on the step below before moving your weak leg down and following with your uninjured leg. A much safer alternatively, is simply to scoot up and down the stairs on your bottom.

Weighing All the Factors

Whether you have a short-term injury or suffer from a disability, a pair of quality crutches can make a world of difference. Hugo Mobility’s adjustable aluminum crutches offer comfort and stability at the right price. Ergoactives’ ergonomic forearm crutches and Vive’s forearm crutches also deliver high-quality support that will help you get from A to B safely and in comfort.