How to Make Crutches More Comfortable for Those Disabled by Injury or Illness

Most disabled people immobilized by injury or disorder would choose almost any other mobility aid than a crutch. Hospitals dispensing crutches find that while disabled patients take to wheelchairs, canes, and walkers fairly quickly, it's the crutches that pose a problem. Considering that there are many methods of using crutches, it's no wonder that health care facilities must first fit the disabled patient with crutches and then provide lessons on how to walk with them. Not only that, crutches chafe the skin on hands, underarms, and elsewhere, producing painful welts and abrasions. Simply put, crutches are uncomfortable--at least in their just-dispensed form. That's why a person would be crazy not to take advantage of reasonably priced crutch accessories to ease the way.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Under-arm crutch pads
• Gels pads to ease hand pain
• Willingness to try something new !

1. First determine where the crutches are causing the most discomfort. Usually that would be the under arm area. This is the number one body area that gets the most pressure, friction, and shock when using crutches. Body lotion and talcum power are two ways to reduce friction, but why not take steps to reduce the pain altogether? One of the best innovations in recent years is glycerin-based gel--you've seen this in countless places, from computer mouse pads to bicycle seats. Now this soft, squishy gel has been adapted to medical applications including comfortable crutch arm pads. Slip on one, or a pair, and get instant relief from crutch pressure on the underarms!

2. Once you have relieved your underarm pain, evaluate whether crutches can now be used comfortably. Second to the underarms, pressure on the hands is the next biggest complaint. The hand-grip on crutches is not there merely to keep the disabled patient from dropping the crutch: it carries weight, too. And crutch carrying weight is not static; it is dynamic and variable. Weight alternates between the underarms and the hands to different degrees. A variety of cloth and gel-based hand pads help to absorb much of the shock associated with hand-grip pressure.

3. Ask yourself if using your crutches is as safe as possible. If you live in colder areas, you know that it's nearly impossible to walk with crutches in snow and ice. It's hard enough to walk with two feet--not to mention an extra third or fourth foot! Most crutch tips are designed only for optimal conditions, such as dry, flat pavement. A great gadget that screws right on in seconds is crutch ice cleats. The best thing about crutch ice cleats--they don't have to be unscrewed after you enter dry surfaces. Just flip them up and it's safe to walk inside without scratching floors.

Tips & Warnings

• Challenge the belief that you can't be comfortable using crutches.
• Research all the products available to increase your comfort.
• Talk with your doctor or therapist about your comfort issues.

Resources

• Mobility Aids and Accessories for the Disabled
• Mobility Aids Articles and Information for the Disabled
• Crutch Accessories for the Disabled
• Walker Accessories for the Disabled

[kfrank2605]

on 5/14/2009 I have tried virtually every product on the market to combat the pain I suffered from the flimsy crutch pads that come standard on every pair of crutches. I couldn't beleive that somebody hadn't figured out a way to make crutches more comfortable. It seemed so simple. Then I found a company that makes extra thick crutch pads that made a world of difference. Check out - www.crutchremedy.com - these ultra thick crutch pads have been a life saver.

[crutchuser]

on 3/28/2009 Found this great product on the net. Having used forearm crutches, I found these made my rehabilitation so much quicker - I was avoiding exercising my injury due to the discomfort of my crutches. Check it out @:www.c9products.comHope you get better soon!