Gutter crutches

[JulezH]

Hiya,

Does anyone on here use gutter crutches? (the ones you put your forarm in and the weight goes through your elbow rather than hands).

I am looking to get some and am looking for any advice anyone can give me.

Thank

[Marionfromhappydays]

I did years ago when I broke my ankle and they were way better than normal ones.

I didnt have RA back then so can't comment from that point if view but they are better for distributing the weight taken by your arms. X

[bpeal1]

I used smart crutches last year after I had foot surgery. I had to buy them myself and they weren’t cheap but they were brilliant and together with my knee scooter allowed me to get around. Normal crutches were a complete non-starter for me as wrists won’t bend into the correct position to hold normal crutches. Smart crutches are very adjustable so you can get them into a comfortable position for you.

smartcrutch.uk

[AgedCrone in reply to bpeal1]

What a shame you had to buy them the NHS gives them to you for free and don’t want them back. In future I’m sure if anybody needs these crutches if you stick an Ad in your local freestyle or whatever scheme runs in your area you will be bombarded with people wanting to get rid of their crutches.

[bpeal1 in reply to AgedCrone]

The smart crutches are much better than the NHS gutter crutches, so I didn’t mind buying them at all. They are far more adjustable, and have good padding. There is a second hand market for them on eBay but as I’m expecting to have to have the other foot done at some point with at least another 3 months non-weight bearing followed by several weeks needing them whilst building strength up again they are currently in the attic.

The physio department didn’t think their gutter crutches would be suitable for non-weight bearing and only offered a walking frame. They were very impressed with the smart crutches when I went back for post surgery physio.

[bpeal1 in reply to bpeal1]

PS Are you sure your hospital don’t want them back. Our local hospital regularly holds amnesties for crutches, walking frames etc. leaving collection boxes around the hospital and begging people on social media to return items they’ve finished using. Even during the height of the pandemic they were asking people to leave them outside the department windows.

[AgedCrone in reply to bpeal1]

Glad you are getting sorted.When I had my foot surgeries my favourite object was my little vegetable trolley on wheels.

I used to load it up....push it with the foot in plaster & off I sped.In fact I had three crutches....couldn’t manage a crutch on the stairs...so went up & down on my rear end...& always had a spare crutch up& down!

[bpeal1 in reply to AgedCrone]

I too couldn’t manage crutches and stairs. I had my smart crutches and knee scooter downstairs and the walking frame the hospital gave me upstairs and like you went up and down on my back side. As I was completely non-weight bearing pushing a trolley wasn’t an option but I did manage to put coffee in a travel mug in the basket of my knee scooter! I also managed to create a gadget to carry my smart crutches on my scooter which gave me even more freedom.

[Knip in reply to AgedCrone]

The NHS only supplies elbow and normal crutches. The local Red Cross equipment loan centre might be pleased to accept any spare crutches. They provide equipment for people who aren't using the hospital but who need it, for example, following a fall or some such mishap.

[AgedCrone in reply to Knip]

Thank you fir the info....but I’m a belt & braces kind of girl & I am anticipating another operation on 1 foot in the not too distant future so I’m hanging onto my three crutches – I’m not getting any younger.... and who knows I might need them for regular walking about very soon!

[Knip in reply to bpeal1]

Where did you buy your smart crutches I don't need them at the moment but do from time to time and I can't get on with normal or elbow crutches because of my wrists.

[bpeal1 in reply to Knip]

I bought them directly from smartcrutch.uk there is a measuring guide on the website to help you work out which size is correct. I think some mobility shops sell them too and occasionally eBay sellers and Amazon market place have them.

[BoneyC]

I got mine from hospital after hip replacement surgery.

[Kags1068]

Hi Julez

I'm going through this crutch conundrum at the moment! I fell and broke my left femur a couple of months ago, and after 13 weeks on a gutter frame was finally told at a check-up last week that I could gradually move to crutches and 50% weight bearing. Normally I use an ergonomic handle elbow crutch on left side due to ankle issues. I last used two crutches just over 2 years ago when I had my right ankle fused, and had used them numerous times before for other ops. Therefore I thought - no problem! Unfortunately, during this time my right hand/wrist must have deteriorated further and suddenly I just couldn't use the right crutch.

I was then given gutter crutches to try (apparently I was lucky as they actually had 2 in the physio cupboard). I managed to take a couple of very difficult steps, so the physio packed me off with them despite no instructions and me saying I felt very unsafe.

It's one week later now and I'm struggling by using a gutter crutch on the right side and a normal crutch on the left. (I'm still mainly using the frame). My initial observations were that they are noticeably heavier to move, and when I tried to move them forward they wobbled around all over the place - which is partly why I'm using a mis-matched pair.

After scouring the Internet for alternatives, a couple of days ago I came across a video explaining how they should be used properly. I had no idea they required a totally different technique. Apparently, from your shoulder to elbow you keep your arms tucked in tightly as though you're trying to grip £20 under your arm! When using the crutches you make an "A" frame with your legs in the middle. So, your arms are tucked in to the elbows, then you hold the crutches out at an angle (if that makes sense). I've been trying this and it is a bit easier, and it does feel more stable. I will say, however, it is a very different technique to using them (this goes for smart crutches etc too, as they are all "posher" versions of gutter crutches). Some of the posher ones are heavier too. (I'm still researching this)!

The video said it can take a while to adapt and initially, you may experience more pain. This has been the case for me, although I'm going to try for a bit longer. People who can adapt, seem to get on well with them. For me, the jury is still very much out!

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask if you want to discuss it any more- it's my current obsession!! 😁😁

[JulezH in reply to Kags1068]

This is super useful, thank you so much for replying. I just assumed they were the same technique, thinking about it more that wouldn't really work with that type of crutch.

I went on the SmartCrutch website and they said the stock was on back order. I emailed them to ask what that meant and in the time it took for them to reply, they changed the price from £137 to £169! The cheek. I have asked to get some for the lower price and am still waiting for a response. That still is a lot to pay for them so I am currently scouring ebay.

Please keep me updated with how you get on 😊

[Kags1068 in reply to JulezH]

Yes, that is very naughty. I've looked at the smart crutch but apart from being very expensive, I would be worried that the strap across your forearm doesn't meet. As such, and as I will have to put a lot of weight through them, I'm worried about my arm coming out unexpectedly. Most reviews I read thought they were wonderful, and I'm sure for lots of people they are, but there were one or two reviewers that said their arms had come out and it made them feel unsafe. I've also been looking at a similar crutch called KMINA on Amazon. These cost about £70 each, but you should get the 20% VAT relief too. My concerns about these are again that the strap across the top of your arm doesn't quite meet, and the gutter bit is angled downwards rather that being horizontal. Not sure what difference that would make? The third type I've found are called M&D crutches. Again these are a very similar thing. One of the disability shops sells them for £160 (approx £140 minus VAT) a pair but I found them tucked away on Amazon for £104.95 per pair. You should still get the 20% VAT relief, but you have to pay it first them claim it back via Amazon. These are my most likely choice at the moment! It was through them I found the video telling you how to use gutter crutches. I'm not sure how to send a link, but if I can work it out, I'll send the links so you can look for them easily if you want to see what they are like.

I'm pleased you found it useful. At least I haven't totally wasted the last week!!😁😁

I'll also let you know if I find anything else. Please let me know if you do too!

[Kags1068]

amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GBQ3LN7/...

Hopefully that's the m&d crutch link. They come in white for the same price too. I'll try and send the other link.

[Kags1068]

amazon.co.uk/dp/B074J6QTKQ/...

Fingers crossed that's the KMINA link. Hope they're useful 😊