crutches

spacey

hi all, I am awaiting confirmation of ankylosing spondylitis by MRI in a weeks time. Both my sacraliliac joint are inflammed. My question is, at the moment after walking for any length of time I get alot of pain in my right hip particularly and find that resting one leg on the buggy wheel and taking the pressure off really helps. I am wondering if using a crutch would help for the times when I dont have my sons buggy to lean on. I went for physio today but was concentrating so hard on learning the new excersies that i forgot to ask. Is it worth ago or should I really wait until instructed to use one by a medical person. I have done a little research and have found some funky purple ones which are a very reasonable price. I have found some relief from taking the anti-iflammatory but my physio feel I am still very inflammed. thanks x
p.s I am enjoying the lovely sunshine today and dont care a fig that its a little on the chilly side - the daffs are out!

tkachev

a crutch or a walking stick would help you a lot as it takes the weight off the affected joint. You have to be referred to physio usually to get them.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

I was given crutches after my first open synovectomy, and thought they would be a temporary thing. It turns out they weren't. I gave the NHS back their pair and bought my own. If you want to know whether using one would help or not then I suggest you go to a mobility centre (they sell chairs and scooters but will also do sticks and crutches). You can try before you buy! Hand grips vary: they can be straight, moulded, padded, you need to see what suits you best. Funky purple sounds lovely but you need to ensure the grip would be suitable - and the size would adjust to what you need. Go to a shop first for some research! I wish you well. DD

seamonkey

Hi my doc suggested using a crutch a few months ago as my legs were agony, I have found that it helps while im using it and also has helped with some of the pain at night time, which is great. Even when i dont use it around the house that night im in agony. It has quickly become an extension to myself and is really worth having.
Give it a try if it helps you all the better,
seamonkey

spacey

thanks for the advice, my only reservation is about drawing attention to myself - I rarely discuss my medical problems with many people and only a few know about my arthritis too. I would feel self-conscious but then I know i need to balance up the relief it would give me as this far out ways my need for people not too think I am making a fuss. This issue has plagued me for years and while I know its irational I would hate for people to think I was attention seeking although i am really suffering no one can see my back and hip pain. This probably dosnt make sense or seams silly - I dont get it either x

tkachev

I feel very self conscious but when i see others with crutches it isn't so bad.I had walking sticks and although the relief from the constant pain was so much better I did feel old, so when i had my THR I left my sticks at hospital and still have my crutches as my ankle is very bad. I get more care and sympathy with crutches too.

Elizabeth

speedalong

Hi Spacey,

If relieving the weight helps the pain, then crutches would probably help. Might be worth discussing it with a physio or as DD says try some out in a mobility shop first. Having them properly adjusted is very important. Remember if you are using just the one, use it on the side of the good leg, so that the crutch is on the ground the sametime that sore leg is, hence reducing the amount of weight placed on the sore leg.

As for feeling embarrassed - yes all of us who have or do use mobility aids, felt awkward at first and the first time you use them in a new situation people notice and respond, just like when you get your hair cut or start wearing glasses. People quickly cease to notice.

If they help - use them on bad days etc.

Speedy

tjt6768

I hated having to give in and use a walking stick, I was probably in my early to mid thirties, made me very self conscious too.. Now I don't care less, bugger what folks think. In fact I've just been and picked my elbow crutches up from storage as one stuck doesn't really help as both knees now seem destined to plague me with pain...

Keep your chin up and this head held high mi dear..

BoleynBlue

I think it's a good idea if it will help relieve the pain, although i can understand the feeling self concious part, but once you and other people get used to the fact you are on crutches it should be easier.

dreamdaisy

I never once felt self-concious. I needed them after the ops, so I had no problem on that front and have continued to need them. They are now somewhat deadly with the fitted ice-grippers - how long before a couple of CHIMPS (sorry, PCSOs) stops me and does me for having two offensive weapons? Before you get yourself sorted out, keep an eagle eye out for those using a stick or crutches or a chariot - you will be surprised just how many there are. You won't stand out - well, with purple ones you will! I am saving up for a very pleasant blue pair - they may well be what my birthday money goes on! DD

minky67

Hi, I brought mine from mobility shop, they ordered & adjusted them for me before i left the shop.
Mine are funky Blueish/ turquoise & i have the Organomic (cant spell that, think its along them lines) handles & that helps spread the pressure to my hands.
I choose to buy mine as my physio wasnt being very helpful.
They help no end with balance & taking the weight off my feet,knees,ankles & hips. Also been advised to used both to equal myself up whilst walking as they were effecting my hips & back more.
I was very self consious to start with but when your using them you'll be surprised at the difference they make & you'll soon start to get used to them. I seem to notice people using aids more now that i do than i did before.
I hope you get something to help you soon
take care, debs

cherrybim

Hi Spacey,

I'd argue about the usefullness of crutches. They put weight through hands, elbows, arms, shoulders and neck. Never have I seen anyone walking with crutches who doesn't jut their neck and shoulders forward which isn't a good thing with RA or any other form of screwmatics.

I must have given about 10 pairs back over the years. For me the best support is the metal hand sticks (imagine a crutch chopped off from the hand support) With those one can use the metal hand splints and at least try to walk upright. They impact far less on the other joints as weight is evenly distributed.

This is, of course, only my practised opinion and others will argue

Cherry x

Oh crikey!! There's a spammer on this thread, just seen it as I've scrolled down to submit my reply :shock:

dreamdaisy

Crutches are there to balance and steady, not lean on. They take some getting used to, admittedly, but using them alternately lessens the temptation to lean on them too hard. Many people do not use them efficiently - I was taught how to use them by a physio. They are a little like the stabilizers on a bike! DD

seamonkey

I totally understand your wanting not to draw attention to yourself and i have had some really nasty comments but at the end of the day they help me through the day and mean im not in as much pain at night which makes my family life better so needs must. I have said if theyre going to be permanent then i will buy my own as Physio ones really arent 'nice' enough to go about with permanently. I hope you can over come your self consciousness and give it a try, you may find its worth it,
seamonkey

cthornley

I have a walking stick which used to venture out all the time when I was younger and I was referred for crutches when I was pregnant ( my RA got much worse)
However the support they gave me was counterbalanced by the pain of using them in my wrists / hands so I never used them.

I generally only use my walking stick now when I am very unsteady on my feet and I don't have a convenient hubby or buggy to hang off and my toddler isn't with me as he then wants to hang off them too "my go my go!"
If they can give you the confidence to get out and about then go for it but be aware they have limitations too.

Chrissie

caterina57

I have had a walking stick ordered by the Physio today, Its really because the way I walk is putting a lot of pressure on my hip which is starting to play up, I remember many years ago my mum refusing the advice of her GP to use a stick, her stubborness caused a lot of damage to her hip and she eventually have it replaced, so I am hoping that using it will be preventative or at least give me longer!
Cath

hileena111

Hi, I have a stick which tends to stay in the car or folded up in my bag when I'm out walking {fora few mins walk } until I need it then it comes out. The physio said NO.....not to wait until I needed it....to use it when I went out for a walk not matter how short BEFORE I NEEDED IT
Love
Hileena

penfactor

Hello Cherry
Please could you tell me more about the hand sticks? I use a crutch at the moment & i also have great probs with my back /neck /shoulders. Can you ask for them by this name in a mobility shop?
Pennie