Crutches - help or hindrance?

bubbadog

I'm in a good and not good situation! I need my crutches and use them round my house and if I try and be clever and potter round my downstairs rooms I usually lose my balance and get told off by my O.H (I would never do it with out him about) So I do need them most of the time. But lately I have found when I use them I get more and more pain in my hands from the new set on of Osteoporosis in my hands so will have problems in the near future with my crutches has anyone got any good advice as how I'm going to get round this problem?

Wonkylegs

Bubbadog - I want to answer you first so that I don't forget to - my mind is like a sieve sometimes :oops:
If I've learned one thing during the past few weeks it is that there are multiple kinds of crutches seemingly for every kind of need! I don't know if you already have been seen by Occupational Therapy or not. If you have, then I'd suggest you ring your OT if you are struggling with the crutches you do have, as they may be able to suggest ways to adapt them or replace them with special hand grips that take the pressure away.

If you haven't seen OT before, then perhaps now is the time, before your hands become more of a problem - most of what my OT has taught me is about protecting my joints and using them in the best way to avoid further problems. You can be referred by your GP, or in some areas I believe it is possible to self refer but I haven't done this myself.

Toni - thanks for the link. I'm glad not to be the only one who had thought that putting shock absorbing properties into walking sticks/crutches was a good idea

DD - I'm not sure where you get the idea that speed comes into the equation - in fact each time I put the crutch down on the ground I can feel the vibrations in my hand, just as my feet take the impact as I walk - and at the moment that is very very slowly!
Perhaps I can feel this more than you because I have had considerable problems for a long time with my hands/wrists and have learned to be very careful about how I use & protect them. If you haven't had such problems I'm very pleased for you.

Hi Everyone - Today was an eye opener, and confirmed to me that it can be a dangerous business purchasing things to 'help' us without taking professional advice.

I saw my physio today, along with the crutches which I'd tried out over the weekend, and had set to what I believed was the correct height. They felt comfy at that height, and had seemed to help me on the two occasions I'd used them.

I was rather surprised when the physio said they were much too low ... and set about raising them a good two notches from my setting :shock: It turned out that whilst I had been getting support from them, I was also walking with a slight stoop, which meant that with long term use I stood to wreck my hands through applying too much pressure, and hurt my lower back because I wasn't walking straight! :eek: :eek: :eek:

So, both the OT and physio have shown me, in different ways and at different times, that doing what feels comfy doesn't always mean doing what's best for me in the long term, and I will stick to seeking professional advice for things in the future, to avoid doing more harm than good!

Now, all I need to do is persuade my shoulders not to tense up and I'll be able to get around and about a little steadier and hopefully in greater comfort

hugs
Wonky xxx

bubbadog

Thanks Wonky for telling me about the different crutches you have really helped me and I have spoken to my O.T and she has put the request in for me for the physio to contact me about going to get me sorted with some new crutches! I don't how I can thank you enough for telling me about them, they look like they are going to help my poor knackered hands be alot more comfy! I really apreciate you for doing that Wonky!

dreamdaisy

I probably equated speed with them as my clearest memories come from watching my mates striding off across the fields while I tottered along behind! I prefer the security of the crutch cuff as that steadies the forearm too. I don't grip the crutch handle, my thumbs and forefinger close loosely around them (with the palm supported). Crutches are for balance and support, and yes, if set to the correct height (hands just above hip level) there is no need to bend forward - gutter crutches are slightly different as more weight can be 'leaned' onto them due to their design (that's what a physio told me). Having benefited from the sticks for many moons I hope they also work their magic for you, Wonky, and that the pain of walking is eased at least a little. Keep as upright as you can, that helps the neck and shoulders, and use them alternately if possible to transfer the weight from side to side. Here's to happy walking! DD