Anyone here been on crutches lately?

[C.Ann]

DD got hurt riding on her jet ski Sunday and she's on crutches.. Nothing serious, thank goodness - but she says the crutches "hurt".. Seems to me I read something somewhere once about people making the mistake of putting all of their weight on the arm cushions (under their arms) and it really should be shifted to the padded hand cushions.. Is that right?

 

[Towncrier]

I was on crutches for several weeks this spring. You should NEVER have the pads in your armpits. Your DD needs to use her hands instead of jamming the crutches into her armpits.

 

[LisaSt]

There is a nerve that runs in your underarm that can cause some problems if it is pinched or damaged and crutches can cause this to happen if they are used improperly. You should never rest your weight on your underarms on the crutches as it will cause youpain and possibley worse. You should hold the top of the crutch between your arm and upper body about an inch or 2 from your underarm and use your hands to take the weight.

 

[bananiem]

It's been 17 years but I spent 5 months on them so this is my 2 cents- She needs to support herself with her hands and wrapping washcloths around the top of the rutches helps some. Also did they "fit" the crutches at the hospital or doctor's office? She might need to have them shortened.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks all! I was pretty sure you weren't supposed to rest your weight on the arm pads, but couldn't remember for sure..