CRUTCHES

Objectives:
 Describe the indications for crutches.
 Review the contraindications of crutches.
 Summarize the types of crutches available.
 Explain the importance of improving care coordination among interprofessional team
members to improve outcomes for patients needing an ambulatory device.

Crutches
are medical devices designed to aid in ambulation
by transferring body weight from the legs to the torso and arms.
They are mainly used to assist individuals with lower extremity injuries and/or neurological
impairment.
This presentation describes the types of crutches, their indications, and contraindications and
highlights the role of the interprofessional team in proper evaluation and training of patients
needing ambulatory devices.

 Most crutches classify into the following three categories: axilla, forearm, and platform
The right crutches for you will also depend on individual factors. For example, not
everyone who needs short-term crutches will use underarm crutches. Your doctor
or physical therapist might recommend forearm crutches for you instead. You might
also transition from one crutch type to another during your recovery.

Underarm Crutches

. Underarm crutches are also called axilla crutches and are the most
common type of crutch.
 These crutches are placed in your underarm for use and can be adjusted
for height.

They are easy to use and balance but can lead to discomfort and fatigue.

  Underarm crutches are generally used for people recovering from an injury
or surgery. They’re typically used for people who will only need them for
one to three months. They take less upper body strength and body control
than forearm crutches.

Forearm crutches. Forearm crutches are also called lofstrand or elbow crutches.

These crutches have a cuff that goes around your forearm and handles for your hand to grip.

Forearm crutches are most often used by people who need long-term crutches.

  Underarm crutches are generally used for people recovering from an injury
or surgery. They’re typically used for people who will only need them for
one to three months. They take less upper body strength and body control
than forearm crutches.

Forearm support crutches.

 Forearm support crutches are also called adjustable arthritic crutches, platform crutches, or gutter
crutches.

They have padded forearms and adjustable handles that can help people who need more support from
their crutches.

Forearm support crutches are used for people who need additional support,
such as people with arthritis or other chronic pain conditions. They can relieve
some pressure on the body and help people with these pain conditions remain
mobile.
Finding help paying for your
crutches 
crutches are generally the least expensive and can be wooden or metal. Forearm
crutches and forearm support crutches can be basic, foldable, or deluxe and might cost
a few hundred Crutches can come at multiple price points depending on the style and
material.

There are three primary types of crutches. The right kind for you will

depend on why you need the crutches, your upper body strength, and

what your doctor or physical therapist recommends.

 Health insurance. 
 Most insurance companies will cover basic underarm crutches when you need
them. They’ll generally also cover long-term forearm crutches if your doctor or
therapist says that they’re necessary. You can call your plan to ask if you’re not
sure which crutches are covered.
 Medicare

 . Medicare covers crutches under Medicare part B in the durable medical
equipment coverage, as long as your doctor and crutch supplier accepts
Medicare.


 Discount retailers. 


 Drug stores, discount medical supply companies, and even big-box retailers. A
sale price could make prices at these retailers very affordable. In some cases, it
might even be less than the copayment you’d have using insurance
 Rental crutches
 You can rent crutches if you know you’ll only need them in the short term.
Renting crutches is generally cheaper than purchasing them. Many websites
offer crutch rental.
 Donated crutches
 . Because many people only use crutches for a few months, it’s possible to get
donated crutches from people who no longer need them. Donated crutches are
often collected by medical suppliers and rehabilitation centers. Talk to your
physical therapist or search online to find donated crutches that might work for
you.

Indication and
contraindications

Crutches
 Top of crutch should be 3 fingers’ width below armpit, so it
does not press under the arms.

Elbow should be bent a little so that arms can lift body when
walking.
Handgrip should be placed for comfort— usually about ⅓ of the way
down crutch.

WRONG RIGHT

WARNING! Bearing Teach the child to put

weight on her hands, not
weight under the arms
on her armpits.
like this can cause
nerve damage that in
time can lead to full weight on hands
numbness and even
paralysis of the hands.
wrist drop from crutch
pressure

One good way to make sure the child does not hang on
the crutches with her armpits is to use elbow crutches like
this.