How to make crutches more comfortable?

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Critical_Try_3636@reddit (OP)

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions! I’ve ordered some gloves and also dropped the crutches down one notch as they were hurting my shoulders

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Johnny-Talker@reddit

These worked for me:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01G72P97S

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GetCapeFly@reddit

Get some pipe insulator for the handles. It cushions it nicely but make sure you secure it well so it doesn’t slip off.

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batgirlsmum@reddit

Cycle gloves also tend to have slightly padded, slightly grippy palms, these help.

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Serious_Badger_4145@reddit

I'm wondering if it's your technique, did they go through that with you?

https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/walking-aids/using-crutches

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Critical_Try_3636@reddit (OP)

I had about 5 minutes with the nurse at the walk in centre showing me. I think it doesn’t help that I’m plus size so it’s a lot of weight I’m moving through them

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PatternWeary3647@reddit

I found gloves helped.

After using gloves for a couple of weeks I found that I could manage without them for fairly distances, and the distance increased week by week.

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Critical_Try_3636@reddit (OP)

I think I’m going to look into gloves. The pads I bought off Amazon just slid around, I’d end up injuring myself again

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PatternWeary3647@reddit

I just used plain leather gloves, but I guess you can get ones with padded palms??

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I imagine you would adjust fairly quickly. I broke a knee a few years back on was on crutches for a while and it wasn't the most comfortable but got used to it within a week or so. I'd be a bit careful wrapping it in case you lose your grip on it or wraps slip off.

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Critical_Try_3636@reddit (OP)

It is extremely humbling! The simplest things, my daughter thinks it’s hilarious me climbing the stairs on my hands and knees

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Past-Bicycle5959@reddit

I broke the same bone the same way on my 24th birthday! Took a couple of years to stop hurting completely

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Critical_Try_3636@reddit (OP)

A couple of years!? Crikey 🙈

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steppenwolf666@reddit

You want underarm crutches, so your hands arent carrying all the load
Serious improvement over elbow crutches
And you can buy pads for underarm and hands

Then, if you have a hundred quid and can wait three weeks, you get these
or these from amazon
The first of these are wonderful; the second are spring loaded which is nice

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CoconutCaptain@reddit

Tennis racquet tape on the handles

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Good-Gur-7742@reddit

Pipe insulator wrapped in duct tape.

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cloudswalking@reddit

Highly recommend smart crutches if you can afford them, they are amazing. Also recommended by orthopedic surgeons. They are a game changer.

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Davidrainford@reddit

You can get crutch pads to make them more comfortable on your hands, or cycling/weightlifting gloves with padded palms but open fingers.

There's also a crutch pot, which clips onto the crutch and is useful for outing things in while moving around the house.

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Sc4rl3ttD@reddit

I used big fluffy socks over the hand grips when I broke my ankle. I couldn’t use the moon boot for a while initially either.

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triplediamond321@reddit

I think because you are putting the entire weight of your body into your hands, the pressure into the muscles/soft tissue of your hands can’t be avoided - no matter the cushioning you add to the crutches. When I used crutches, the palms of my hands actually started to go numb. But this was temporary, and went back to normal after I no longer needed the crutches.

Over time I got used to using the crutches, and I wasn’t as aggravated. Hang in there and you’ll get used to them! Hopefully you can be rid of them asap.

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Screaming_lambs@reddit

Wrap the handles. I used something for the cushioning then wrapped the self stick bandages around it a few times.

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PvtRoom@reddit

make sure you've got them at the right height.

you can buy more comfortable crutches - ones with handed handles, and angular adjustments. This tends to be too expensive for 1-off injuries, but it's fairly essential for permanent use.

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