Walking with forearm crutches is killing my forearms, Video also.

mr_coffee · 10-01-2005, 02:53 AM

Hello everyone, I need to be walking with forearm crutches alot more but the problem that is keeping me from being more functional with them is my forearms kill me, also my sholders hurt like a motha, but not so much as my forearms! When i remove the fore arm crutches my arms are super red, I have mole skin on the cuffs but that doesn't help. Any ideas?

Lynne · 10-02-2005, 08:27 AM

Are you "step walking" or swinging through? Sounds as if you have the cuffs squeezed too tight. Are they open on one side or are they a complete circle? Most kinds can be "adjusted" by bending the metal open or closed in order to fit your arm loosely.They shouldn't be real tight. The cuff really is just there to keep the crutch from coming off your arm as you walk if you're stepping. I'm not sure about if you're swinging through. Hope this helps a little. Lynne

betheny · 10-02-2005, 10:02 AM

The cuff on mine doesn't touch my forearms.

mr_coffee · 10-02-2005, 12:05 PM

Well its weird, i have brown sequard syndrome, so I step with my right normal, and i swing through with my left leg, its in a KFO. Also, my cuffs are plastic, and they arn't a complete circle.

MikeC · 10-02-2005, 03:03 PM

I'm not an expert but I'd say if you can't 'widen' the cuffs because they are plastic you need new crutches. Another thing is can you adjust the top part of the crutch (lower it) so that the cuffs hit you arms lower where your arm is skinnier? My crutches are adjustable at the top (with 4 holes) and I've got them on the lowest hole). I can feel the cuffs on my arms but they aren't tight enough to cause them to turn red. The only time I notice them is when I get hot and they are sweaty and I can feel them 'rub' on my arms. Mine are kind of rubber/plasic and I'm sure I could widen them if I needed to. Mike

Lynne · 10-02-2005, 05:37 PM

What I meant by "swinging through" was that I thought you might have KAFO's and might be lifting your whole body through, swinging forward and landing on both feet at the same time. (This might require tighter cuffs) If you're stepping with each foot your cuffs don't need to be tight at all. Like Betheny, when I used them mine barely touched my arms. Mike's suggestion is a good one. Is there any possibility you're allergic to something on the cuffs? ARE they tight?

mr_coffee · 10-02-2005, 06:58 PM

Well its weird to explain how i'm walking...here is a video so you can get a feel for what i'm doing:
http://www.mytempdir.com/177121

If my cufs arn't tight, my fore arm will pop out and i'll fall on my face! I actually made them tighter for this reason, i put mole skin on them so it would compress my forearm better, but now its way to compressed because u can see a huge red mark on both arms.

Lynne · 10-04-2005, 03:48 PM

I've looked at your video, but don't have sound in case you were telling me something important to your function or feeling. Are you working with a PT? Did you work with one in order to walk as you do? I may have some suggestions if you're not working with someone now. Since I'm not familiar with your strengths I'm a little hesitant. I'm c6-7 inc. and walked for 14 yrs. with forearm crutches and did some things differently. I don't want to interfere with your therapist, that's for sure!!! Lynne

Lindox · 10-04-2005, 04:02 PM

mr. coffee,
To be honest. You might want to try underarm..wooden crutches.

In my almost fifty years of crutch use..they are the BEST. And I have experienced every type of crutch made to date.

They are much better for your posture..and also they float well.

If I had only had forearm crutches to use I would have been in a chair YEARS ago I feel.
JMHO.

mr_coffee · 10-04-2005, 04:35 PM

Lindox, are you talking about the ones that go under ur arm? like someone uses if they break their leg? I have a pair of aluminum ones, same concept as the wooden just different material, i havn't tried them in along time, if this is what your talking about. The problem I remember when i was using them was it was very difficult for me to stand up. What level are you? I don't have great balance, because i still don't have my abs back!

10-01-2005, 02:53 AM	#1
mr_coffee Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,026	Walking with forearm crutches is killing my forearms, Video also. Hello everyone, I need to be walking with forearm crutches alot more but the problem that is keeping me from being more functional with them is my forearms kill me, also my sholders hurt like a motha, but not so much as my forearms! When i remove the fore arm crutches my arms are super red, I have mole skin on the cuffs but that doesn't help. Any ideas? __________________ Injured:10-16-04 C7/C8, T1 incomplete; For stalkers convenience: Blog: http://www.ordealsonwheels.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/coryssanchez Progress: http://photobucket.com/albums/b290/swooty/ My drawings: http://kanvases.com/sites/corysanchez/home Last edited by mr_coffee; 10-02-2005 at 07:08 PM.

10-02-2005, 10:02 AM	#3
betheny Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Oklahoma,USA Posts: 18,333	The cuff on mine doesn't touch my forearms. __________________ Blog: Does This Wheelchair Make My Ass Look Fat?

10-02-2005, 12:05 PM	#4
mr_coffee Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,026	Well its weird, i have brown sequard syndrome, so I step with my right normal, and i swing through with my left leg, its in a KFO. Also, my cuffs are plastic, and they arn't a complete circle. __________________ Injured:10-16-04 C7/C8, T1 incomplete; For stalkers convenience: Blog: http://www.ordealsonwheels.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/coryssanchez Progress: http://photobucket.com/albums/b290/swooty/ My drawings: http://kanvases.com/sites/corysanchez/home

10-02-2005, 03:03 PM	#5
MikeC Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,190	I'm not an expert but I'd say if you can't 'widen' the cuffs because they are plastic you need new crutches. Another thing is can you adjust the top part of the crutch (lower it) so that the cuffs hit you arms lower where your arm is skinnier? My crutches are adjustable at the top (with 4 holes) and I've got them on the lowest hole). I can feel the cuffs on my arms but they aren't tight enough to cause them to turn red. The only time I notice them is when I get hot and they are sweaty and I can feel them 'rub' on my arms. Mine are kind of rubber/plasic and I'm sure I could widen them if I needed to. Mike __________________ T12 Incomplete - Walking with Crutches, Injured in Oct 2003

10-02-2005, 06:58 PM	#7
mr_coffee Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,026	Well its weird to explain how i'm walking...here is a video so you can get a feel for what i'm doing: http://www.mytempdir.com/177121 If my cufs arn't tight, my fore arm will pop out and i'll fall on my face! I actually made them tighter for this reason, i put mole skin on them so it would compress my forearm better, but now its way to compressed because u can see a huge red mark on both arms. __________________ Injured:10-16-04 C7/C8, T1 incomplete; For stalkers convenience: Blog: http://www.ordealsonwheels.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/coryssanchez Progress: http://photobucket.com/albums/b290/swooty/ My drawings: http://kanvases.com/sites/corysanchez/home

10-02-2005, 08:27 AM	#2
Lynne Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 499	Are you "step walking" or swinging through? Sounds as if you have the cuffs squeezed too tight. Are they open on one side or are they a complete circle? Most kinds can be "adjusted" by bending the metal open or closed in order to fit your arm loosely.They shouldn't be real tight. The cuff really is just there to keep the crutch from coming off your arm as you walk if you're stepping. I'm not sure about if you're swinging through. Hope this helps a little. Lynne

10-02-2005, 05:37 PM	#6
Lynne Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 499	What I meant by "swinging through" was that I thought you might have KAFO's and might be lifting your whole body through, swinging forward and landing on both feet at the same time. (This might require tighter cuffs) If you're stepping with each foot your cuffs don't need to be tight at all. Like Betheny, when I used them mine barely touched my arms. Mike's suggestion is a good one. Is there any possibility you're allergic to something on the cuffs? ARE they tight?

10-04-2005, 03:48 PM	#8
Lynne Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Georgia Posts: 499	I've looked at your video, but don't have sound in case you were telling me something important to your function or feeling. Are you working with a PT? Did you work with one in order to walk as you do? I may have some suggestions if you're not working with someone now. Since I'm not familiar with your strengths I'm a little hesitant. I'm c6-7 inc. and walked for 14 yrs. with forearm crutches and did some things differently. I don't want to interfere with your therapist, that's for sure!!! Lynne Last edited by Lynne; 10-04-2005 at 03:52 PM. Reason: To add information

10-04-2005, 04:02 PM	#9
Lindox Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: USA Posts: 9,025	mr. coffee, To be honest. You might want to try underarm..wooden crutches. In my almost fifty years of crutch use..they are the BEST. And I have experienced every type of crutch made to date. They are much better for your posture..and also they float well. If I had only had forearm crutches to use I would have been in a chair YEARS ago I feel. JMHO. __________________ Life isn't about getting thru the storm but learning to dance in the rain.

10-04-2005, 04:35 PM	#10
mr_coffee Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 6,026	Lindox, are you talking about the ones that go under ur arm? like someone uses if they break their leg? I have a pair of aluminum ones, same concept as the wooden just different material, i havn't tried them in along time, if this is what your talking about. The problem I remember when i was using them was it was very difficult for me to stand up. What level are you? I don't have great balance, because i still don't have my abs back! __________________ Injured:10-16-04 C7/C8, T1 incomplete; For stalkers convenience: Blog: http://www.ordealsonwheels.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/coryssanchez Progress: http://photobucket.com/albums/b290/swooty/ My drawings: http://kanvases.com/sites/corysanchez/home

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
BLIND GIRL RAPED IN NYC SUBWAY..	michaelm	General News	5	03-16-2010 01:58 PM
Elliptical trainer	The mom	Exercise & Recovery	26	02-10-2006 05:17 PM
SMALL STEPS TOWARD GOAL.	manouli	Cure	0	05-10-2005 01:03 PM
Walking with crutches and not going to improve	EDD	Cure	1	05-08-2005 06:53 AM
NIH Multicenter Trial to Assess Treadmill Training for Spinal Cord Injury	Wise Young	Clinical Trials	3	05-14-2002 08:29 PM