Problems from using crutches

Turbogran

Hi all just a question to anyone out there who use crutches has
anyone had numbness tingling and aching in thier fingers and hands. I have had this for the last few weeks in my left and when i last went to doctor she said it was pressure from using the crutches and I needed to pad the handles of my crutches :roll: I have done this and i suppose it is improving slowly, but I just wondered if anyone else had suffered this problem, and what did you do about it :?: :?:

traluvie

Hi Carol,

I have had to cover my handles on my crutches as it was hurting my hands, i was getting blisters and numbness from pressure, good thing in this weather i wear gloves so extra padding lol..
Hope it eases up for you..x

daylily

Yup me too.
I've got hard lumps and sore palms, 7 weeks now on crutches.
Neck is sore as well.

I've padded the crutches with washing-up sponges folded in half tied on with...... florists tape...... I couldn't find anything else!!!!!!!

frogmorton

Tis pants Carol :sad:

hope it eases soon for you.

I suppose padding them out is best and not using them too often....kinda defeats the object though.... :???: Keeping mobile is good

Could you ring the physio see if they have any other ideas?

Love

toni xx

barbara12

Hi Carol
Try some of the foam padding that they insulate pipes with....hopefully it will help.....my friend used it and found it really helped.

Lupin25

Hi Carol,
I have very bad hands due to RA and have been given some cruthes with specially shaped handles called Fisher or Fischer? handles. They are very oddly shaped but really do help aleviate pain in hands, wrists, elbows & shoulders.
Hope this helps.

cloud9

I was gonna suggest that Lupin. I was given those and they make a huge difference.

tonesp

Yes I had tingling and pain while I was using crutches I think I was gripping too hars and cutting of the blood supply to my hands

Starburst

Gutter crutches (also called arthritic crutches) saved me post-op. I couldn't handle the regular ones. Pun intended! I feel for you. Crutches can be such a pain. My ones did cause some pain but only with my stomach muscles as I learn to haul myself around using different muscles.

Take good care.

Turbogran

Thanks for all your replies
I have already brought some zip on covers that have a gel pad in them for my crutches and some wrap around ones with gel padding fastened with velcro for my rollator and they have helped a lot. I just interested to see how many others crutch users have had this problem. I suppose i really wanted to make sure i was not the only one to have it

cacyhi

Hi all,
Ive been on crutches for 12 weeks now and i get the tingling, numb,pins and needles, redness all the time. Stupid me never thought about padding for the handles but I did buy some padded wheelchair gloves and I might try using those to see if they help for "long jurneys".

I thought my shoulders and arms would hurt with the crutches but its my neck thats sore and numb by the end of the day. I have 2 pairs - one ordinary pair and one with the ergonomic handles. Both hurt my hands coz of the amount of pressure Ive been using as Ive been non-weight bearing but I feel more stable when walking, especially outside, with the ergonomic shaped ones.

bubbadog

Hi everyone, I do get numbness (feel like singing numb by the edge (fromU2)!) and pins & needles never done anything about it. Just put it down to using crutches alot. I do have painful neck muscles at the end of the day. It's amazing how you never really think of these things because of putting it down to using crutches yet they are pretty serious!

dreamdaisy

I've been on the sticks for nine years now, and never had any problems with my hands Now they too are arthritis-affected but so far, so good. I find I don't grip the handles, I just rest my palms across them, curl my thumbs and fingers under a little and things are OK.

I was taught how to use mine by an excellent physio, she told me they are there for balance and stability ONLY, my body weight should not be rested on them, I was to take small strides, to keep my head up, ie walk as normal. I've done this ever since, tho it was very hard post surgery when my left knee was so badly cut about.

I think many people are given the sticks and told to get on with them but there is an art to it all, there really is. I clearly remember her telling me NEVER to sit down with them still hanging off my elbows, or to rise from a chair similarly as I could break my arm bones. I think mine are Fischer handled and I love 'em. DD

dachshund

Hi Turbogran.
yes i had that problem as well and i also had the grips that go round your arm hurting as well if i didnot have sleeves on.
i had the crutches when i had a thr. i now use sticks and my
hands are still sore.
joan xx

RobYorks

I had this with the rutches with the grey plastic hand grips and asked if I could get some with the neoprene/sponge grips. Apparently, they were discontinued due to the risk of the grip slipping off the handle so just be careful when using the alternate remedies as you may end up A over T !! In the end, my saviour was being able to reduce the weight bearing on my hands as I gradually transferred back to my feet but I appreciate that this isn't an option for all.

All the best,

Bob.

prefabkid47

I had similar problem with tingling etc when first using crutches.Initially used pipe insulation.
Found soon afterwards that resting my palms on them and not gripping (like DD) eased the problem and also using them just for stability and balance and not weight bearing (again like DD).