Advise on using crutches

[Jo1964]

Hi I need to use sticks to walk with but having Fibromyalgia and arthritis in my hands makes them painful to use would changing to crutches help any any advise welcome

[Bananas5]

Have you thought about a rolator?

x

[Jo1964 in reply to Bananas5]

I really don't want to use one of those it may sound silly but it makes me feel I'm giving in to Fibro on one more thing does that make sense?

[Bananas5 in reply to Jo1964]

Yes and no!!

Took me 4 years before I carried a white symbol cane....and that was over 30 years ago.

Crutches can be cumbersome and if you are wobbly difficult to use. If they, or sticks, cause you pain then meet the challenge head on by going for something useful.

x

[Jo1964 in reply to Bananas5]

I understand what you say makes complete sense but at this moment in time I'm not ready to give in I feel that if I do give in and use one I will look and feel more useless than I already do may sound silly but I get very anxious about it

[Bananas5 in reply to Jo1964]

That's fine. Try the crutches and see how you go

x

[Jo1964 in reply to Bananas5]

Thank you

[Jmarieob in reply to Jo1964]

Try not to feel like you are giving in. Think of it as you are the winner and nothing will stop you. Very best wishes to you.

[Jo1964 in reply to Jmarieob]

I wish I could but my mind set won't let me but thank you for your comment

[Hidden in reply to Jo1964]

I wouldn't be without my rolator, it folds up to fit in a car boot and has a seat if I need a rest.

[Jo1964 in reply to Hidden]

[Shooby]

Hi I'm wondering if you have seen or heard of crutches that have arm rests sorry I can't remember the name of them but they look like crutches and a protruding part that your arm rests on it takes away pressure on your wrists, try looking online hope this helps a bit. X

[Jo1964 in reply to Shooby]

Thank you for this I will have a look

[Shooby]

Hi i found this online Arthritic Elbow crutches. Hope it helps xx

[Jo1964 in reply to Shooby]

Thank you will take a look

[katieoxo60]

Hi Jo 1964, several people at Arthritis Action meetings have said crutches are more comfortable so worth a try. But they are more mobility restrictive because the are bulkier.

[Jo1964]

Thank you I'm going to give them a try.

[Hidden]

Jo

I use walking sticks, the way you adjust them or find a one that will fit is

Stand straight, do not crouch

Place your arm straight down the body at the side of your trunk. Set you hand at right angle to your leg. Measure or try a walking stick between your palm hand and floor. The stick should approx fit between palm and ground in a straight line following your leg.

A crutch is more complex that can have two parts to adjust, although this can be problematic. You had palm should like above be straight on the centre rest of the crutch, your arm pit should also reach just below the Armpit so it just supports the arm. The problem is you need to remain straight and not put any stress on your body. The idea of a crutch is explained by the word. You do not want to irritate the armpit also you do not want to get a sore hand. With walking sticks you do not put stress on the wrist or hand you only need the stick for support, most of the time you walk light on stick or crutch. However if you are relying on resting on these tools you will get sore and tired.

Personally I prefer walking sticks, I generally only use on at a time. I have ten different types some very ornamental others with different handles, I carry two different types in the car. One in the town the other with a strong handle when on the beach or walking in woods. Amazon have a really nice selection of wooden types and others with various metal handles, many relate to nature. There is one model with a small telescope set in the handle

BOB

[Jo1964 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this information I have found it very helpful I have a few walking sticks like you for different surfaces. I see my physio this month so I'm going to ask her advise as well. I have measured my sticks your way and I was not too far off so thank you for that.

[Lulubee]

Smartcrutch is definitely your answer. They are more expensive than normal crutches but take all the pressure and pain out of your wrists/hands. They enable me to keep walking further and help my posture. I completely swear by them as transforming my life!

Do you currently user Fischer handle sticks? As that is another consideration for walking sticks x

[Jo1964 in reply to Lulubee]

Thank you will take a look

[bluefall]

Luckily mindset is very adaptable, much more so than a physical problem.

Pushing on often leads to the problem being too large to overcome. Making things more comfortable enables you to keep going and improve.

I hope you find a good way forward. I understand how painful crutches can be.

[drdwright2019]

Hi Ive similar symptoms as you and i agree some times especially in the cold weather the pain in my hands i cant even grip the crutch wich usually resorts to me getting around in a wheelchair.