How to Adjust Crutches

Forearm crutches or elbow crutches usually consist of a handle and an upper part that wraps around the forearm. These sections can assist you with getting around. If you are prescribed crutches, you should follow your doctor’s advice on how to use them. You may need to adjust the height of your crutches for maximum comfort. Although the adjustment of forearm crutches is relatively simple, you must remember to fix the height of the crutch after the adjustment is complete to avoid unfortunate risks.

Table of Contents

Adjust the height of crutches

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Check the height of the handle. The first thing to do when adjusting crutches is to check that the handle is appropriate for your height. You need to stand up straight, relax your shoulders, relax your arms at your sides, then ask someone to help you balance if necessary, put your crutches aside and see where the handles are relative to the other. hand. The handle is considered to be in the correct position when it is level with the wrist.

Remember to let your arms hang down as much as possible. ^{[1] X Research Source}
You need to adjust the position if the handle is not level with the wrist.

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Adjust the height of the handle. After checking, if it is necessary to adjust the handle, you need to determine the position of the height risers. You will see a small button or metal button and a series of small holes in the crutch.

To adjust the height, simply press this button and then decrease the height of the crutch by pulling down or increase the height of the crutch by pushing up. ^{[2] X Research Source}
If the handle does not move, it means that you are not pressing the button hard enough.

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Check the newly adjusted height. If you think the height of the crutches is appropriate, you can do a quick check in the following way: Stand normally and grasp the handle, imagine using crutches to move. Look closely at the elbow. Elbows should be bent at an angle of 15 to 30 degrees. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can look in the mirror or have someone adjust the angle of your elbow if you can’t see it yourself.
Make sure both crutches are at the same height. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Fix crutches to required height. After you have adjusted the height of the crutch, you need to fix it so that the crutch does not move. The first thing to do is to make sure that the button is in the correct position, so firmly that it does not move up or down.

After the test, you can pull the crutch out to see all the crutch adjustments.
This part is called the crutch tube and you can remove it like you would a screw or bottle cap. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Adjusting the upper end of the crutch

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Check the position of the top head. After adjusting the height of the crutches, you can adjust the upper head as needed. The top part looks like a plastic ring. You will rest your arms here if using crutches. When resting and standing up, the head of the crutch will usually wrap around the forearm just below the elbow.

The tip of the crutch is 3 to 5 cm from the elbow flexion. ^{[6] X Research Source} Preferably that part doesn’t make elbow flexion difficult.

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Adjust the upper end of the crutch. If the upper head is in the wrong position, you may need to make some adjustments to make using the crutches easier and safer. The way to adjust the upper head is similar to the way to adjust the height of the handle. You need to see where the button of the top header is located. This button is usually located behind the upper head attached to the crutches.

Press the button and move that part down or up depending on your needs. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
You will see that the upper head moves up or down along the pitches of the crutch.
If the top looks like a horseshoe then the opening should be rotated forward in the direction of your view.

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Fix the top head. Once the upper has been adjusted to the required height and is comfortable, you should fix it immediately. First, check that the button is fixed and not easy to press by mistake. Next, you just need to tighten the part that is in contact with the ground. You should also check how fixed the part is after adjusting the height.

Using forearm crutches, you can increase or decrease the width of the upper head to fit the forearm. Ideally, the hand should be both fixed and free to move. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Advice

Check to see if the rubber seal is worn or torn. If the seal is damaged, you will need to replace or repair it. Because elbow crutches provide stability, if they are torn or damaged, they can cause you to slip.
Your doctor or physical therapist will help you adjust your forearm crutches and teach you how to use them.
Use mild detergent to clean crutches.

Warning

Make sure the button of the elbow crutches is fixed. If not, you may slip while using it and have an unfortunate accident.
The upper is not designed to support the weight of the body but rather to increase stability when using elbow crutches.

Steps

Adjust the height of crutches

Adjusting the upper end of the crutch

Advice

Warning

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