A stick that commonly fits under the armpit or around the upper forearm and is used to assist with walking. Crutches partially or totally relieve the weight that has to be taken by a leg. They are therefore used when injury and/or pain is present and may also assist a person to walk if he/she has weakness in his/her legs e.g., a person with polio.

TYPES OF CRUTCHES
Underarm (axilla) Crutches
Underarm Crutches are made from aluminium, wood or steel. Underarm Crutches extend to under the armpit and have a handgrip. The sections under the arm and the handgrip are padded. The Crutches are adjustable in height and the position of the handgrip is also adjustable. They come in different sizes including children's, youth's, adult's and tall adult's.
Adjustment
To determine the correct length of an underarm Crutch:
Measure from the point 6 inches to the side of the heel (with shoes on) to 2 inches below the fold of the armpit (from the back). When the Crutch is adjusted to this length, three fingers should be able to fit easily between the top of the Crutch pad and the armpit. It is important that the Crutch is not too long as this results in pressure on the nerves in the armpit. Excess pressure may result in a tingling and/or numbness in the arm and hand. Some Crutches have a button adjustment and others a bolt and wing nut system. Aluminium Crutches in many cases have a height guide printed on them. This makes adjustment easy.
To find out the ideal position of the handpiece, the measurement is:
The person should stand (in shoes) and let his/her arms hang straight by his/her side. Measure 6 inches from the side of the heel to the wrist crease. This is the height of the handgrip from the floor. When Crutches are being used this allows the elbow to be bent between 15 to 30 degrees.

Forearm Crutches
Forearm Crutches extend to just below the elbow. They are usually made of aluminium. A cuff encircles the top of the forearm and may be open at the front. The cuff is made of metal with a rubber covering or is made of plastic. Below the cuff is a handgrip. The height of the handgrip from the floor and the distance from the handgrip to the cuff is adjustable. This adjustment is often a push button system. Forearm Crutches allow the bodyweight to be taken partially or fully through the hand pieces.
Adjustment
The handpiece is adjusted the same as the underarm Crutch handpiece (see above). The forearm cuff should be adjusted so it sits comfortably around the upper forearm.

Forearm bearing gutter Crutches/platform Crutches
Forearm bearing gutter Crutches have a metal gutter the length of the forearm so the weight may be taken through the forearm. The gutter is lined with vinyl covered foam for cushioning. A handpiece is situated at the front end of the gutter support. Forearm gutter Crutches are useful when a person has an injury or pain in the hand or forearm e.g., rheumatoid arthritis which is affecting the hand or wrist or a forearm fracture.
Adjustment
The height of these Crutches should be adjusted so that when the forearm is resting in the gutter support, the elbow is at 90 degrees.
The handpiece can be adjusted in or out depending on the length of the person's forearm.

A person may use one forearm bearing gutter Crutch (on the side of the affected hand) and one underarm Crutch or forearm Crutch (on the other side).

TIPS/FERRULES
At the base of the Crutch is a tip or ferrule. There are different thicknesses of Crutches with different tip thicknesses. Tips should be regularly inspected to ensure how they are wearing. If worn the Crutch may push through the tip resulting in the Crutch slipping and accidents occurring.

NOTE
Crutches that are hired should be regularly checked and maintained. Things to look for :
1) Tightness of all the nuts and wingnuts.
2) That there is no damage to the Crutch.
3) That the tips, underarm pads and hand grips are not worn.

Your Doctor and Physiotherapist should be consulted if you are having trouble with your mobility. They will be able to advise you on the most suitable mobility aid for your condition.

Ask your Pharmacist for advice:
1) Ask to be shown the different types of Crutches available from your Pharmacy and ask your Pharmacist for advice about which type is most appropriate for your needs.
2) Adjust the Crutches to the correct height and adjust the handgrip height so you can trial them.
3) Ask your Pharmacist about the correct technique for using your Crutches.
4) Replace the hand grip, axilla pads and the tips if they are worn.
5) Ask to be shown how to check the wing nuts, nuts and bolts.
6) Check the whole crutch for any possible breaks or cracks. This is very important for any hire crutches.

USING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRUTCHES
Using Crutches requires a certain degree of strength and balance.
This is especially so when a person is non-weight bearing i.e. they are not able to take the weight through one leg. Proceed slowly and take extra care on wet surfaces. The bodyweight is taken through the hands and by pushing the Crutches sideways into the chest. The bodyweight must not be taken by resting on the arm pads. With prolonged pressure under the armpits, a pressure injury can occur to a nerve in the armpit. This results in tingling and/or numbness in that arm.
When using forearm Crutches the bodyweight is taken through the handgrips.

METHOD OF USE
NON-WEIGHT BEARING
The Crutches are lifted to be placed further in front of the body. They should be placed slightly more than shoulder distance apart. The painful leg is held clear of the ground and to the front of the body. The sound leg hops forward to the level of the Crutches. If the person has adequate strength and balance and he/she becomes more confident he/she may hop forward with his/her sound leg so that it is in front of the Crutches.

PARTIAL WEIGHT BEARING
If some weight is able to be taken through the painful leg e.g., with an ankle sprain, the pattern is as follows:
The Crutches are lifted and placed further in front. The painful leg is stepped forward to the level of the Crutches. Some weight is taken through it while the rest is taken through the handgrips. The sound leg is then stepped forward to the level of or in front of the Crutches.

WEAKNESS IN BOTH LEGS
If the Crutches are being used because of weakness in both the legs e.g. polio, the Crutches are lifted and placed further forward usually one at a time. Both legs are then swung forward together and are placed either just behind or just in front of the Crutches. The pattern of use as described is not common and would usually require a physiotherapist's instruction.

WALKING UP STAIRS
Hold the bannister rail and use one Crutch on the other side. The sound leg hops up to the higher step first, followed by the Crutch and the painful leg coming up together. The painful leg may be held totally clear of the ground (non-weight bearing) or take some weight (partial weight bearing). This will depend on your Doctor's instructions.

WALKING DOWN STAIRS
Hold the bannister rail and use one Crutch on the other side.
The Crutch and painful leg are taken to the lower step first. Again the painful leg may or may not be taking any weight depending on your Doctor's instructions. Hop down then with the sound leg.

Someone is required to carry your other Crutch up and down the stairs for you. Take a lot of care when going up and down stairs. It is advisable to have someone with you, especially initially.