Using crutches after an operation can speed-up recovery. Surgery to knees, hips, ankles and feet often leave patients unable to walk. Modern crutches help the person get back on their feet without assistance. There are numerous styles available, along with many crutch accessories in the UK.
One of the major problems when recovering from injury is a lack of mobility. If the patient is unable to move around, it can lead to secondary problems like weight-gain. For this reason, doctors recommend re-establishing mobility as quickly as possible.
Crutches, while avoiding strain on the injury itself, let the user exercise the rest of their body. They also create mobility and independence. While some models are available on the NHS, many people look for better quality crutches for sale online.
Adjustable or Non-Adjustable
Elbow crutches with handles are now the most common. With this design, the hands transfer most of the user’s weight.
Elbow crutches have a cuff which fits around the bicep and feature a lower hand-grip. Each crutch usually has two aluminium shafts, one at the top and one longer one at the bottom. In some cases, one or both of these shafts is adjustable in length.
The shafts are set at the desired length by a simple but strong pin-clip. These ‘double adjustable’ models give the greatest flexibility in terms of fit. The distance between the bicep cuff and the hand-grip can also be set precisely.
One drawback of these models is the ‘flex’ which is created using the adjustable parts. For this reason, people who use crutches all the time, prefer non-adjustable shafts.
These ‘permanent user crutches’ require cutting with hacksaw to achieve the desired length. Their advantage is that they feel rigid and do not make ‘clicking’ sounds. People with long-term or permanent conditions favour this style. They usually prefer the more solid ‘feel’ the more rigid shafts of elbow crutches offer.
Foam hand pads can increase the comfort of using elbow crutches for sale in the UK. Handles which spread weight evenly are also available. These are useful for people who use crutches a lot. Some standard-issue models have narrow handles which can cut into the user’s palms. This makes them unsuitable for long-term use.
Traditional ‘Under-Arm’ Crutches
Unlike modern designs, traditional crutches focus the user’s weight on pads which fit into the armpit. Known as ‘Axilla’ crutches, this style is rigid and strong, but can cause discomfort with prolonged use. This is because the pads can dig-in to the user’s armpit, restricting blood flow.
Axilla crutches also offer less adjustment than modern elbow crutches. Typically, they have just one adjustable lower shaft. A pin-clip is usually in place for this purpose. This allows the overall length to be set. It does not allow variation in the upper arm distance.
Rubber Feet for Safety
Rubber or plastic caps come fitted to the feet of the vast majority of crutches for online. These reduce the chance of the crutches slipping on the ground. Usually referred to as ‘ferrules’, these rubber feet are an important safety feature. They are available in the either black or grey versions.
It is important to use a high quality ferrule. Most ferrules in the UK have an internal metal washer. This stops the metal base of the crutch cutting through the rubber. Without this, the ferrule would soon wear out. Using crutches without non-slip feet is dangerous and can lead to injury. This makes them probably the most important crutch accessories in the UK.
Practical Uses
For some people, crutches are the only realistic alternative to a wheelchair. Because of the difficulties day-to-day wheelchair use involves, crutches are a practical option. Their use enables the user to maintain upright mobility. This allows access to areas which might be impossible in a wheelchair.
While they do require some upper-body strength, people adapt to their use quickly. The elderly may have difficulty with this, often restricting their use of crutches to the home.
Source : https://essentialaidslimited-43.webself.net/blog/2019/03/06/why-crutches-remain-a-critical-rehabilitation-aid
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