Any Tips or Tricks on How to Survive Life on Crutches?

Yardlie · ‎03-10-2010

Wouldn't you know that I fell the other night and severely sprained my ankle? Apparently, I became somnambulent during a dream and started running. Don't exactly know how I sprained my ankle, but I woke up on the floor. I did that once before about 30 years ago.

Anyway, my ankle started swelling immediately.We went to the ER. I thought for sure it was fractured, but apparently it is just a severe sprain. I will see an orthopedic doctor for a follow-up in a week or so, as soon as the swelling goes down. I now have an aircast and crutches. I have never used crutches before, and am having a horrible time getting the swing of them.

Also, how do you carry anything while you are using crutches? Carrying a glass of water or the cat food bowl, a plate, or anything is quite the challenge! There must be some tricks. I guess I'll be on these things 6-8 weeks.

Thanks for any suggestions!

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. ~~ Steve Maraboli

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

So sorry to hear about your accident - it must be painful!

I broke my foot in 3 places many years ago. My choice was a cast or just taping it.

Since I had a standard transmission car, I went with the taping. I lasted about 4 days with crutches...then I figured out how to hop around, putting weight, as needed, on my heel.

I don't think there is anything easy about crutches.

After the pain and swelling go away, I bet you'll figure out how to get around w/o them!

IamMrsG · ‎08-29-2010

@Yardlie Ooh, sorry to hear of your accident. Sprained ankles can be slow healers.

I cannot offer ways to safely carry anything while using crutches. Could you push a tray on wheels in front of you? Is there another person available to carry for you?

One caution I can offer is to be sure not to put your weight on your armpits while on crutches. It will cause more harm. Instead of 'resting' on the armpits, use the hand grips.

Strive for respect instead of attention. It lasts longer.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

I saw someone the other day with one of these.

It's a knee scooter. She had a full cast on her lower leg,

but was scootin' around like it was no issue...and very manageable.

You bend to place your leg on the pad & push off with your other leg. HTH!

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

@Yardlie, You should be able to put some weight on it with the air cast and would only need one crutch on the opposite side of the one with the sprain if that is the case which would leave one hand available to carry stuff - unless your doctor specifically said no weight on it and always use both crutches. You could also get a sturdy box and attach a cord on it to put around your neck or you could just pull the box behind you or push it. That worked well for me. Also, the crutches should never be long enough to go directly under your arms but adjusted to just be tucked at your side but when you got them it probably was explained. On the plus side, using crutches is great for your abs and core strength. I still walk with them around the house to get that benefit. Good luck!

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

Make sure the crutches are a couple inches below your armpit. Use your hands to lift yourself, don't let the top of the crutch ride under your armpit I had a torn achilles and was on crutches. I worked the entire time and was up and down all day - I dislocated my shoulder because the crutches were too high and I was not using them properly. The doctor never told me how to use them and I had never been on crutches before. Good luck!

Yardlie · ‎03-10-2010

Thanks, Ladies, for all the suggestions thus far. I never knew before that walking with crutches is so difficult. I've been thinking lately that I need to work on my upper body strength...guess I'm doing that now thanks to these crutches!

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. ~~ Steve Maraboli

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

I've used crutches off and on since I was two. There's a lot of debate on the best adjustments for crutches. Me, I like a taller crutch. That works better for me and it's what I'm used to. The Big key is to take your time, relax, focus on using the crutches together. You stand on your good leg, swing both crutches forward a bit, plant them, give a little hop off your good leg, roll over the top of the crutches landing on your good leg again and repeat the process. It's very much a rhythmic process.

As for carrying things, I use a staging approach where I move things from spot to spot as I move. I have about a six foot reach from arm to arm and there's something within six feet of me wherever I go in the house. To move a plate from the kitchen to the living room, it'll start out on the kitchen table. I'll then move towards the door leading from the kitchen, reach back to the table and transfer the plate from the table to the counter by the doorway. I'll then go through the doorway, stop again, reach back to the counter and move the plate from the counter to the top of the newel post. Then take another step forward and transfer the plate from the newel post to the top of the fish tank. Then another step let's me move it from the fish tank to the desk, then another step and a transfer from the desk to an end table and I'm there. It's faster to do than explain. If you find a spot where you don't have a place to set things, you can set up a TV tray there for while you're on crutches. It's not so hard.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!

Yardlie · ‎03-10-2010

@terrier3 wrote:
So sorry to hear about your accident - it must be painful!

I broke my foot in 3 places many years ago. My choice was a cast or just taping it.
Since I had a standard transmission car, I went with the taping. I lasted about 4 days with crutches...then I figured out how to hop around, putting weight, as needed, on my heel.

I don't think there is anything easy about crutches.

After the pain and swelling go away, I bet you'll figure out how to get around w/o them!

I know what you mean about hopping around with weight on my heel! I've been doing some of that, and DH has been chewing me out about it. I don't have the upper body strength of a 20 year old anymore, so the crutches are not easy. They did tell me not to let them rest right under my arm pits.

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. ~~ Steve Maraboli

bri20 · ‎03-10-2016

Sorry about your ankle.

I have no advice about crutches. When I broke my foot last year, I never got the hang of the crutches. I would slide down my stairs and stay on the first floor all day. I used a chair with wheels to get around. Lol.

For or some reason, I lost all sense of balance when I would use them. I would sway back and was very unsteady.

Hope your sprain heals quickly and you can get around better soon!