How to use Forearm Crutches

[fluffypenquin]

HI - this may sound a stupid question but has anybody got any tips on the best way to use forearm or elbow crutches.  I had to start using them yesterday and my body is aching so much today, I think I must be doing something wrong, or perhaps it is just because I am using muscles that I don't normally use.  Any advice welcome x

[chickengrandma-2008]

Perhaps it depends how much (if any) weight you can put on the bad leg fluffy.  I used them for the first time in April and May this year and found them very easy to use.  I'd had a total hip replacement but was allowed to weight bear on that leg with help from the crutches.  The only slight problem I had was the heels of my hands got a little sore as that's where I tended to take the weight.

I'm sure if I'd not been able to put the foot to the ground it would have been a very different story.  In fact I did try it a couple of times, just to see what it was like and I found it really difficult.  That did strain muscles I didn't know I had.

I hope you sort it out and your injured leg gets better soon.

[fluffypenquin]

Thanks CG - I was shown to use them by not putting any weight on the bad leg and all I seem to have done is made the muscles each side of my rib cage hurt.  I know what you mean by it making the "heel" of the hands hurt  I am seeing the PT on Wednesday so I will ask him if I can put any weight on the leg - I hope so, because I don't think I'll be able to get anywhere until the "hurty" bits settle down.  Thanks for your advice x

[fluffypenquin]

CG - hope the hip replacement was a success for you

[stroppy*cow]

It isn't unusual to ache in strange places - you are using muscles in a different way, and they tend to protest a lot. I find it is my back and shoulders that really ache.

There are different styles of crutches, and although the PT may be reluctant, they should be able to sort out ones with an alternative style of hand grip to reduce the soreness on your hands.

Be careful how you try to carry anything - I tried using a back-pack but found it altered my balance too much.

On tiled / laminate floors be very careful, you only need the tiniest trace of dampness ( a few drops of spilled tea or coffee for instance) for the crutch to slip, and falling isn't pleasant.

Hope that the leg heals quickly.

[ginap.123]

I found that when I was on crutches I tended to overuse the 'good' side & consequently had a very achy hip

[cookiecookuk]

i used these for about 12 weeks when i broke my leg and sorry to say it does not get much better because if you have to use them long term they give you proper ones with molded hand grips .i padded mine using foam toweling and got wrong of the physio.but my shoulders hands ribs ect hurt until i stopped using them.

[fluffypenquin]

Many thanks for all your replies.  I ached so much today I only managed to get out of bed at noon    In April I had a disc replaced in my neck and using the crutches for my foot has really made my neck and shoulders "flare" up. 

I think I will try to rest my foot has much as possible today and  avoid using the crutches until the muscles and aches settle down a bit.

I am seeing PT on Wednesday so I can ask his advice - but many thanks for your replies, at least I know it is to be expected to a degree and I am not being a total numpty by using the crutches incorrectly.

Thanks everyone - the weather is horrid here, so I am not missing out on anything by staying indoors today (there is always a silver lining):smileyvery-happy:

[fluffypenquin]

On tiled / laminate floors be very careful, you only need the tiniest trace of dampness ( a few drops of spilled tea or coffee for instance) for the crutch to slip, and falling isn't pleasant

Ouch!!  That sounds as if it was personal experience - hope were OK.  I am now looking closely at the kitchen floor, woe betide OH if he spills a drop

[captainbovine]

the physio guy told me to take small steps and keep your body straight, your centre of gravity he called it. If you lean over you will fall as your centre of gravity is interupted. It made sense and made it easier to use them. I didn't use them when I couldn't put my foot down, I used a zimmer around the house and took wee hopping steps(couldn't put my foot down for a fortnight)

I'm very heavy but I managed, I expect it's a lot easier of you are light, you can hop then without the crutches!!!

get better soon x

[fluffypenquin]

Thanks Capain xx

[stroppy*cow]

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@fluffypenquin wrote:

On tiled / laminate floors be very careful, you only need the tiniest trace of dampness ( a few drops of spilled tea or coffee for instance) for the crutch to slip, and falling isn't pleasant

Ouch!!  That sounds as if it was personal experience - hope were OK.  I am now looking closely at the kitchen floor, woe betide OH if he spills a drop

---

It was indeed personal experience, albeit quite a few years ago. I was actually at the physio dept at the hossie when I slipped and fell. 

Another tip is to make sure that the rubber tips on the crutches are in good condition, not hard, perished or cracked - you are relying on those rubber tips, so insist that they are changed if they aren't in good condition.

I find that the aches, especially in neck shoulders and back are the same if using a walking frame as if using crutches. A walking frame is a bit more stable than crutches, but a lot of younger folks don't appreciate the "granny" image that goes with a walking frame.

If your OH can manage it, a shoulder and neck massage before bed may help.

[fluffypenquin]

If your OH can manage it, a shoulder and neck massage before bed may help! 

If only, he was supposed to do exactly that after my disc op - he managed 4 days and unless I keep pestering him, it just doesn't happen.  Mind you he is good at other things, so I am not complaing TOO much.

Bet it caused a bit of consternation when you fell whilst at the PT unit - hope they learned a valuable lesson but sadly at your expense.

[fluffypenquin]

I must be getting muscles like Popeye because I can now walk quite a long way with the crutches - mind you my hands feel like they are bruised. OH has now made me some pads to put on the hand grips (I knew he would come in useful one day) LOL!

[aernethril]

fluffy - are they adjusted correctly?

I use mine all the time now - will have to get a hip op sometime soon - and it was eventually me that worked out they were not set high enough, so I was bending from my upper back and that was giving me really bad problems with my upper back area.

[fluffypenquin]

Hi thanks for your reply.

They were set up at the hospital and when I was really struggling I got a physiotherapist to check them.  I think I have struggled a bit with my back because of the operation on my neck, but I am getting a lot better with the crutches now - many thanks

[captainbovine]

yes, I had mine checked too. I was taking too big a step with mine and leaning forward too much, once I learned not to try to walk as fast as I could, it got much easier.

Fluffy, glad to hear you are feeling better xx