Temporarily having to use crutches due to an injury or surgery will change quite a few things about your normal, everyday life. Moving around will be more challenging, but it is important to use the crutches as instructed by your doctor to ensure optimal healing. There are tips and tricks you can follow when using crutches to make your life a little bit easier and more comfortable.
Protect Your Armpits with Crutches
One of the biggest complaints while using crutches is the inevitable chafing pits. This can become very uncomfortable over time, especially if you are instructed to use them for weeks, or even months! To avoid this, many people put pillows at the top of their crutches to help with the comfort of the armpits. You can wrap the pit area with some material that will help with chafing, or find a pillow that has Velcro to wrap around it.
Use a Backpack
Obviously, when on crutches, your hands are occupied and you may risk falling down if you are trying to carry stuff with you. To avoid injury, or dropping things and breaking them, carry your items in a backpack. When you need something out of the backpack, simply find a place to sit and open it up. You can carry many things with you, and keep your items—and yourself—safe.
Make Sure You Are Comfortable
If you are on crutches for a long period of time, it may become uncomfortable. To maintain comfort, make sure you are wearing good shoes that are supportive. Also, make sure to maintain good posture when walking. If you find yourself hunching over, you will feel sore in the neck and back areas.
Avoid Dangerous Areas with Crutches
Do extremely careful when attempting to use stairs when on crutches, as this can be extremely dangerous. Find a ramp or elevator to use instead to ensure your safety. Also, try to avoid uneven or wet surfaces to reduce the risk of falling down.
Slow Down
It is important to realize that you may have to move slower when on crutches, and this is okay! Make sure you take it slow and watch where you are crutching in order to prevent further injuries and make sure your current injury can heal properly.
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