Crutches help!

[Mutleylaugh]

Have any of you been on crutches and how unearth did you manage? I broke my ankle yesterday and I'm not allowed to put any weight on that foot at all for 6 to 8 weeks. I am four stone overweight and extremely weak. I'm finding the crutches impossible and the balance really tough. I have ordered a walking frame from Amazon but how unearth do people manage crutches? How unearth do we manage on single steps? The row of stairs to upstairs so I can go up on my bottom but the single steps I find impossible. Any advice would be gratefully received!

[springersrule]

Hi hun, it's all down to practise and short stints to begin with. Practise on the flat, crutches in place of the broken ankle then your good leg. Take small steps with the crutches and don't try and rush. If you have a hand rail/bannister use that and one crutch to get up and downstairs, it feels and is more stable that way. You may find your hands getting sore, if they do wrap the crutches handles in something soft and then bandage it in place. Make sure the height of the handles are at a comfy height for you. I often found that some days i needed to raise them one hole just to give the rest of my body a break as it is very tiring and it takes its toll. Try to keep your body in a normal walking position (not easy i know) to avoid straining other muscles, particularly in your back.

For single steps i always did it good foot first, not crutches first like they tell you. I found that much easier.

I hope you get the hang of them xx

[Mutleylaugh in reply to springersrule]

You so much for this, that is all very very helpful. It has really brought home quite well to state my body is in so your tips are invaluable. I am going to try your good foot first technique next time I get out of bed. Thank you again I can't believe how wonderful and supportive people are on this group taking the time to help and support a stranger. XXX

[springersrule in reply to Mutleylaugh]

Your very welcome. I'm a bit of a veteran with crutches lol xx

[Mutleylaugh in reply to springersrule]

You certainly are! xx

[Jinnty89 in reply to springersrule]

Hello, I’m sorry to hear that you are on crutches, as I know they are hard going. As per a response you received, eBay and Amazon see crutch covers, ie: these are different colours/patterns that you can buy on their own or as a full pack, the arm and hand covers. Some even have a matching bag that you can attack to the crutch, which I use because trying to walk with a bag is a nightmare, so the little bag holds my purse and phone. Hope this helps not only yourself but others as well on them. Hope you feel better soon.

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Jinnty89]

Thank you so much, that is really kind of you. I am off to look.

[Puporazzi]

Hi there! Go to a medical store and rent a scooter. You rest your bad leg in the pad/bench and use your good leg to push it around. It's a life saver. Get off of those crutches or you'll end up with more broken bones. Take care,

Michelle

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Puporazzi]

Absolute genius! Thank you.

[katieoxo60]

Hi there , its not easy with crutches but I found once you master them they are more comfortable than a walking frame or walking stick. For stairs agreed use one crutch , I was given two frames one for downstairs and one for up , but I was allowed to put weight on my legs as it was my knee . I also borrowed a camping loo as I was not allowed to go up and down stairs for two weeks only once a day. During my recovery from knee surgery , I also broke a bone in my foot so appreciate what you are going through, like you I am overweight and weak from age and other illness . It never ceases to amaze me how well our bodies & ourselves recover, manage and overcome challenge. Motto for immobility is one step at a time do not rush and things will get better. You will need Physio once you are allowed to weight bear again in mean time maybe your local council or Gp could help with some gadgets. six to eight weeks is not long but do try to do things a different way maybe and note the suggestions in the other posts. Take care and go for any help from others you can get near you.

[Mutleylaugh in reply to katieoxo60]

Thank you so much for your positivity and encouragement. It is lovely to hear from someone who has been through it.

I do think this has to be at the watershed I need to try to do something about my general physical health. But as you say it is amazing what our bodies can do and how they heal.

Thank you again

[Nifflerluck]

Hi Mutleylaugh,

I've been on crutches for 5 months now, I eventually got myself a pair off amazon (Performance Health Comfort Soft Grip Crutches) and used self adhesive bandage to wrap around the handles to make it easier on the hands.

Make sure you are taking small steps as easier to control when its small steps and just take your time, it is an adjustment.

If you are UK based, the British Red Cross does wheelchair rentals for £17.50 per week which might be easier to use when you are out and about as crutches at home is one thing yet out the house is completely different and I'm not as confident outside the house more because most people don't tend to notice the crutches.

Hope you manage okay and get the hand of it and before you know it the 6-8 weeks will be over 😀

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Nifflerluck]

Thank you for all those tips that is really appreciated. I don't know how you have managed five months! I do hope you will be of yours soon. You are right about going out of the house, in my mind I'm staying here until I can walk again! So maybe a wheelchair is a good option for that. Thank you again

[Nifflerluck in reply to Mutleylaugh]

Hahaha yeah, I haven't been out the house for almost 3 weeks since I had major knee surgery. Think I still have a couple months on crutches yet hopefully will be off them soon. Hope you manage with yours and get off them super soon.

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Nifflerluck]

Good luck! You are tougher than me, I only have 6-8 weeks!

[Defenders]

Hi, I have elbow crutches and they are easy to use. I have very severe degeneration of my lumbar spine and they really help. All the best.

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Defenders]

Thank you - I will look them up.

[Batty1]

I would get a knee scooter

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Batty1]

Oh! I shall go and find out about these. Thank you

[Hellytheelephant]

Hi, ask your Doctor for a referral to Occupational therapy home visit. They will be able to access the mobility/ access needs and lend you all the aids you need to cope so that you can move around safely and access everything you need in your house.

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Hellytheelephant]

My husband spoke to the GP surgery today who told him they could do nothing to speak to the hospital who told him they could do nothing to speak to something like occupational therapy who said they could do nothing unless the GP referred me. So he went back to the GP who said they don't do that. Honestly sometimes it does make me despair. I will try again. I'm hoping that at my appointment tomorrow at the fracture clinic they might be able to help. Getting into our house is full of steps left alone once I'm inside. So at the moment I'm trapped upstairs as it is the only way to get to the loo without steps which I really can't manage. Thank you for the tip I will ask them about an OT home visit tomorrow. I really appreciate your advice XX

[Cappo in reply to Mutleylaugh]

Hi Mutleylaugh have had chronic pain for over 5 years now it has and still is a nightmare trying to get help from anywhere i have been on and off the pain clinic list for a few years now seems every time lately when i i'm a few days away i get a message on my phone cancelling it i was meant to be having my hands sorted today carpol tunnel both hands tomorrow i finally get in to pain clinic fingers crossed i believe using the crutches as you have been shown is the best way of recovery i have them didn't take long to get used to them you need to keep trying to use your foot if you want it to heal faster and your doctor has to refer you to physio to get your crutches it's taken a long time to find this out i have my caliper and back brace as well through referal

Good luck hope you have a speedy recovery

[Mutleylaugh in reply to Cappo]

Gosh you have a lot to deal with! I sympathise with chronic pain as I have that generally throughout my body and almost non-stop migraines as well. But your situation sounds absolutely horrendous.

Thank you very much for your advice, it is very much appreciated. I wish you luck and I wish you well.

[rabbits65]

Some years ago when I had a bad attack of gout I decided to sleep downstairs , it was so much more safer than struggling with stairs.. Further forward 8 years I’ve moved to a bungalow. Good thing you at least have your dear husband. I wish you better soon. Phone Social Services and see if they can put in any help or suggestions.

[Mutleylaugh in reply to rabbits65]

I have to say bungalows are looking more and more appealing right now! Thank you.