I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
I've been using underarm crutches the whole time and wonder if anyone
has used both underarm and forearm crutches for extended periods? I'm
only using one crutch right now so I can carry things on the side
without. Would I be able to get around on only one forearm crutch?
Which do you prefer and why?
>I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Which do you prefer and why?
I have used underarm crutches on and off over the years for various
injuries. I hate them. In 2003 I had both knees replaced. I rented
forearm crutches. They were much better! No sore underarms. For me
they were easier to control. If I needed a to open a door I could let
go of one crutch and it would fall to the floor. Since I had to go up
and down stairs to get into and out of my motorhome (only house) I
found the forearm crutches much easier to use. Much of the time in the
motorhome I used only one crutch with no problems.
Good luck and speedy recovery from the hip replacement.
--
BettyB -- www.flamingo-code.com
"I have noticed even people who claim everything is
predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it,
look before they cross the road." - Stephen Hawking
janospetrik - 10 Apr 2007 00:36 GMT
> >I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it,
> look before they cross the road." - Stephen Hawking
Thanks Betty. I appreciate the information. Do you know of a source?
BettyB - 10 Apr 2007 05:05 GMT
>> I have used underarm crutches on and off over the years for various
>> injuries. I hate them. In 2003 I had both knees replaced. I rented
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Thanks Betty. I appreciate the information. Do you know of a source?
I was in Corvallis, OR when I had my knees replaced. There were
several places that rented mobility equipment. The forearm crutches
were a little difficult to find. The places I tried were from word of
mouth recommendations.
--
BettyB -- www.flamingo-code.com
"I have noticed even people who claim everything is
predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it,
look before they cross the road." - Stephen Hawking
> I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
>
> I've been using underarm crutches the whole time and wonder if anyone
> has used both underarm and forearm crutches for extended periods? I'm
> only using one crutch right now so I can carry things on the side
> without. Would I be able to get around on only one forearm crutch?
I did: right hip replaced, already on crutches for smashed left ankle.
So, one crutch for ankle and one for hip.
> Which do you prefer and why?
I have good upper body strength, so maybe that's why I prefer elbow
crutches. They clip to the forearm so if I have to use my hands I don't
have to set them down somewhere or prop them up against something. I
also love the kind with ergonomic hand grips, where there's one for the
left hand and one for the right hand. I did not like the foam padded
'generic' ones, nor did I like the plastic tube hand grip 'generic' ones
either. For mid to long term use, go the ergonomic handed ones.
Ari
PS- I have not used shoulder crutches, but looking at them, I wouldn't
want to.

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Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
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janospetrik - 10 Apr 2007 00:34 GMT
> > I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
> volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:http://www.abmdr.org.au/http://www.marrow.org/
It sounds like what I'm looking for, but I don't understand what to
avoid. (I don't want to buy something I can't use). Do you know who
makes the type you prefer and a source?
Thanks.
spodosaurus - 10 Apr 2007 05:24 GMT
>>> I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
>>> I've been using underarm crutches the whole time and wonder if anyone
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> makes the type you prefer and a source?
> Thanks.
I don't know who makes mine, I got them through my local hospital here
in Western Australia as long term loan equipment. The physio who let me
try different types said that the previous hospital should have had me
on these years and years and years ago, the ones I had were only for
short term use. They immediately made a difference to the levels of pain
in my arms from walking using my arms on damaged shoulder, elbow, and
wrist joints for 8.5 years.
I've been looking around google and I've seen several manufacturers and
retailers already. They sell for around $85. There are two main sorts,
one with a molded plastic upper unit (forearm calliper and handle) and
one with an adjustable upper section (all lower sections are adjustable
with tightening collars to reduce movement of the adjustable parts).
The pro of using the adjustable upper section type crutches are that
they are adjustable if you need them. The pro of using the molded upper
section, in my view as I have never used this type, is that there's one
less joint to allow a few millimeters of unintended lateral motion (this
sh.ts me sometimes with crutches). Then again, the plastic may be
flexible enough to make this problem worse! As I've said, I haven't ever
tried this type.
Ari

Signature
spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply
Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please
volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:
http://www.abmdr.org.au/
http://www.marrow.org/
Is there somewhere that will let you test them or rent them? Will a physio
recommend something and set them up properly for you? Sometimes an ot or pt
can get loaners and will let you test drive so to speak. Saves a fair
amount of money and pain.
If you were in Canada near an Arthritis clinic they would assist you -not
sure if about other countries and their health system.
Kelly
>I had a hip replacemet last year and will soon need the other done.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Which do you prefer and why?