Why elbow crutches

Forearm crutches spread the burden of your weight across your entire forearm rather than concentrating it in your wrist — great for those with weak wrists or arthritis. They also encourage better posture and offer better support than underarm crutches. For many of us, when we think of crutches, all that comes to mind is the image of the standard aluminum armpit crutch.

The truth, though, is that crutch technology has advanced a great deal since the days when the average crutch was little more than a crooked tree branch. Crutch manufacturers have expanded, creating a vast array of adaptations that fit the needs of any possible patient. Whatever you are looking for, there is a specialty crutch out there designed for you.

Millennial Medical crutches are specially designed to fit into a busy lifestyle. They offer both underarm crutches and forearm crutches for longer-term use.

Millennial crutches are streamlined, attractive walking aids that fold for easy storage and transport. But these folding crutches have one more advantage over standard crutches - a specially designed spring assist tip that absorbs shock and reduces stress.

Spring assist crutches offer a power assist each time your crutch touches the ground, making walking easier and less tiring. They also absorb shock, preventing uncomfortable jarring to your side and arms.

This revolutionary crutch allows a user to walk with both hands free for use. It is a small device that makes it much easier to navigate crowded spaces or small aisles. From the Millennial Crutch with its spring assist tip to the hands-free crutch, there are far more crutches out there on the market than most people are aware of. If you're unhappy or uncomfortable with your standard hospital crutches, you should definitely check out the array of specialty crutches available to you — you might just find something that makes your life a lot easier!

Knee walkers , also known as knee scooters or rolleraids, are specialized walkers that function as crutch alternatives. These mobility aids are small, steerable, non-motorized scooters which take all the weight off one foot and allow you to move about freely.

Knee walkers are portable and easy to use, making them great for long periods of recuperation and recovery. They let the user stand with both hands free for other tasks, while crutches require attention and can be difficult to deal with.

And while most crutches are bulky and hard to store, knee walkers like the Economy Knee Walker fold conveniently and tuck away behind car seats or under tables. Traditional crutches are heavy and occupy both hands during use. Being cheap and easy to find, they are often prescribed to people recovering from an ankle injury or a foot injury.

Many find that after only a few days of use, their crutches have become completely intolerable — and they still have to stay off the injured leg for weeks! What started out as a simple foot injury can lead to a lot of aggravation. In cases like these, or for those recovering from ankle surgery, a knee walker is an ideal solution. Knee walkers take all the weight off the foot, transferring it instead to the knee and shin.

This frees up the injured foot while allowing the patient to get around freely. People being treated for serious conditions need to be especially careful — these injuries get infected easily, and the risks and costs associated with treatment skyrocket fast.

For these patients, staying off the foot is no mere recommendation, but a matter of continued health and safety. Unfortunately, the size and inconvenience of crutches do not make them easy to use. While it is often tempting to skip crutches for short walks or errands, patients recovering from diabetic foot ulcers or Achilles tendon ruptures cannot afford these temptations. For them, the ease of a knee walker makes it far more likely that proper recovery procedures are followed.

For some first-time users of knee walkers, balance may be an issue. Luckily, many knee walkers are designed for maximum security and comfort during use. The contoured, oversized cushion of the Knee Cruiser ensures that any user will stay easily centered on the pad without slipping off. Others may have trouble with steering or control. In these cases, a knee walker with a transmission steering system will help them immeasurably.

For any special circumstance, there is a knee walker out there designed to fill the need. Ankle Surgery Recovery Tips. Ankle surgery is a necessary evil for many people at some point in their lives, but most don't realize that the hardest part comes later, when they are at home and in recovery. An ankle that can't bear weight is an ankle that can't run to the next room to retrieve something, or stand in front of the stove cooking a meal, or carry clean laundry up from the dryer.

The medical procedure may be over, but recovering from ankle surgery is a long and hard journey. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to make recovery simpler and less inconvenient to your daily life. No matter if you are in recovery for one week or twenty, your recuperation period will be far easier if you trade in your standard crutches for something smaller, comfier, and easier to use.

Any Further Questions? If you didn't find the answer you were looking for, feel free to call us toll-free at You can also email us through the form found here. Consider the following as you choose your crutches: Strength — Crutches of all types require a certain amount of upper body strength for proper use.

Back to Top Forearm Crutches vs Underarm Crutches The two main types of crutches are forearm crutches , colloquially known as elbow crutches, and axial or underarm crutches , sometimes called armpit crutches. Strength — Both underarm and forearm crutches require upper body strength from the user. You will be supporting your weight with your arm, shoulder, and chest muscles.

However, forearm crutches tend to require more strength in general. These are great for long-term users, who can build up the muscle mass and strength they need, but for the short term underarm crutches may be easier to use. If you have limited upper body strength, you will want to try underarm crutches. Posture — Posture is one very important factor to consider when choosing crutches. Many first-time users of underarm crutches tend to slouch over their crutches, and this can be a hard habit to break, eventually leading to strain and muscle pain.

Forearm crutches, however, encourage good posture in their users- the taller and straighter a person stands, the easier their crutches will be to use. If you are worried about posture, you will want to try forearm crutches. Coordination — Underarm crutches are generally easy to master, as they have one basic possible gait.

Forearm crutches can be more difficult to coordinate, and often require the consultation of a physical therapist to fully master. However, forearm crutches allow for a greater variety of walking styles and gaits, and are more stable on rough or uneven terrain.

If you have trouble with balance and coordination, you will want to try underarm crutches. If you require more flexibility from your crutches, you will want forearm crutches. Comfort — Forearm crutches feature a cuff under the elbow which helps reduce strain and keeps some of the pressure off the wrist while in motion, making these crutches comfortable and easy to use.

Underarm crutches, however, press against the side of the body when used, often leading to soreness and abrasions no matter how much padding they feature. If comfort is your main concern, you will want to try a pair of forearm crutches. Knee Walkers — Knee walkers are fantastic crutch alternatives intended for use with injuries below the knee. These innovative devices completely eliminate all the normal strain and effort of carrying around a pair of crutches.

Sometimes called knee scooters, a knee walker has a padded platform on which to rest the injured leg, a complete set of wheels, and some form of steering device for one or both hands.

Be aware that knee walkers, like scooters, require constant attention, and need to be kept to low speeds. Forearm Crutches — Traditional crutches cause many hassles, including strain and abrasion from the jarring crutch pad.

Forearm crutches offer a solution to this issue, completely removing the aspect of the crutch which jams it against your side. Millenial In-Motion Forearm Crutches are lightweight, strong, durable forearm crutches that hold on to your arm themselves, freeing up your hands for those times when you need them most. Forearm crutches are the only crutch alternative for those with hip or thigh injuries.

This hands-free crutch requires good balance from the user, and may take some time to get used to. Adjust your crutches properly. Have a friend or family member help you for this step. Wear the shoes you plan to wear for most of your recovery and stand normally.

The measurement should be made from an inch or two below your armpit to a point on the floor about two inches in front of your toes.

This should be the height of the crutch. The crutch handgrips should be adjusted to allow for a 15 degree bend in the elbow when you are standing normally. Hold the crutches correctly. When properly used, your weight should be concentrated in your hands and on the crutch grips. Crutches should never jam into your armpits, nor should your shoulders be made to carry any weight.

Standing on your uninjured foot, place the crutches a single step ahead of you. Lean forward onto the crutches, swinging your body forward. For help and information:. Shopping basket 0. View as. Add to basket In your basket Select options. Advance Elbow Crutches. Evolution Elbow Crutches. Progress Double Adjustable Elbow Crutches. We accept. Connect with us. Useful information. Visit our showroom. Tel: