Healing after any lower leg injury or surgery can be a rather slow and pain-staking process.Having to deal with the limitations placed on your daily routine and activities can be a frustrating ordeal. It can even leave you in more pain and discomfort than you intended to experience.Using the best crutches during your recovery is essential to healing faster and generally feeling better.The best crutches for non-weight bearing injuries will have thick padding to ensure comfort. Being adjustable will make them the best crutches for long-term use through the recovery process. Table Of Contents Our Top Picks For The Best CrutchesDifferent Crutch Options5 Of The Best Crutches ReviewedBuyer's Guide To Finding The Perfect Crutches For YouHow To Use CrutchesPadding For CrutchesRecovery Tips For Ankle And Knee SurgeryConclusion Our Top Picks For The Best Crutches ImageProductUnderarm or ForearmFoldingSizesPrice GuideBuy NowHugo Mobility Lightweight Adjustable Aluminum CrutchesUnderarmNoMedium Adult, Tall Adult, Youth$$ Click Here For Prices Cardinal Health Adjustable Auxiliary CrutchUnderarmNoOne Size (Adjustable)$$ Click Here For Prices Carex Folding CrutchesUnderarmYesOne Size (Adjustable)$$$ Click Here For Prices Push Button Aluminum Crutches By Wes Care Supply Inc.UnderamNoMedium$$ Click Here For Prices Medline Aluminum Forearm Adult CrutchesForearmNoAdult, Tall, Youth$$$ Click Here For Prices Different Crutch Options There are three main different types of crutch available for those that need help getting around after leg injury or surgery. Underarm These might well be what you picture when you think of crutches, and are the most traditional model. They reach right up and slot in under your armpits, with hand grips further down.These can be great for some people, but you need to make sure that they're well padded and that you wear the right clothes to avoid chafing. They're normally recommended in the event of short-term, acute injuries which mean the user can only weight-bear on one leg. Forearm This type of crutch is shorter than an underarm crutch, only reaching up to the top of your forearm. The top encircles your foreman, around your elbow. That means most of your weight is on your hands, whereas with underarm crutches it's distributed between your hands and armpits. This is the kind of crutch you'll be recommended to use if you have a longer term injury and can bear a certain amount of weight on both legs, but just need extra support. They aren't quite as stable as underarm crutches. Alternatives For some people, neither of those will seem like tempting options. Crutches also aren't suitable if you have any injuries to your arms or upper body. That's where alternatives come in. A great one is the hands-free crutch, which is kind of like a peg leg. Having your hands free can mean it's much easier to go about your daily life! If crutches in general don't sound great, you could consider a knee walker. 5 Of The Best Crutches Reviewed Investing in the best crutches is well worth it, as you can end up with blisters and with seriously aching arms. I’m now going to take you through the top five rated crutches on Amazon and what they have to offer. These are the best crutches for non-weight bearing injuries and recoveries. 1. Hugo Mobility Lightweight Adjustable Aluminum Crutches Manufactured from a lightweight anodized aluminum, these lightweight crutches are light as well as strong.They boast a supporting capacity of 300 pounds.Their adjustability is ideal for people between 5’2” and 5’10” and feature dual push-button adjustments.These crutches provide exceptional traction while the built-in metal ring protects against any premature wear.The thick cushioned underarm pads make these the best crutches for ankle surgery recovery.They feature an internal ribbing and reinforcement design.The natural sponge padding additionally absorbs any impact shocks, are perspiration resistant, and machine washable.Pros 300 lb capacity Lightweight ReinforcedCons Only suitable 5'2"-5'10" Pads might not be thick enough Check The Best Price Here 2. Cardinal Health Adjustable Auxiliary Crutch After a few days using crutches as a mobility aid, you’re going to start feeling the aches and pains that begin to creep in.With Cardinal Health’s Adjustable Auxiliary Crutches you don't have to worry. These traditional foam rubber crutches have been specially fitted with Thermoplastic Rubber to help them last longer and prevent peeling.The Thermoplastic Rubber is a synthetic rubber blend that feels softer, and you'll feel the difference while you heal.The push-button style adjustments allows for easy configuration to a user’s specific height requirements.These crutches are ideal for those measuring 62-70 inches and can support a maximum weight of 300 pounds.Pros Thermoplastic rubber Easy adjustment Reasonably pricedCons Only up to 5'11" Might need additional padding Check The Best Price Here 3. Carex Folding Crutches Are you tired of struggling those full-length crutches?The hassle of those long poles that have to be carted around with you everywhere can be quite a drag, not to mention the recovering leg itself.Luckily for you, Carex Health Brands has brought out these Folding Crutches to make life that little bit easier when things are already tough enough.Folding perfectly in half, you can easily and conveniently store these crutches under the dining room table or under the car seat. Additionally, you can adjust them to meet the height requirement of various sized family members. Users height can range from 4’11” to 6’4”.Pros Collapsible Suitable for wide range of heights Easy to storeCons May not be suitable for very tall/heavy people Not always easy to collapse Check The Best Price Here 4. Push Button Aluminum Crutches By Wes Care Supply Inc. Wes Care Supply Inc. has provided us here with strong but lightweight aluminum adult crutches with a height range of 5’2” to 5’9”, and a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.The non-slip rubber tips are durable, while the comfortable and equally durable underarm pads and hand grips make use a pleasure.The push-button height adjustment mechanism is set in 1-inch increments.Handgrips can be adjusted using the wing nut attached.Pros Non-slip rubber tips Adjustable handgrips Comes fully assembledCons Max. weight capacity 250 lb Max. height 5'9" Check The Best Price Here 5. Medline Aluminum Forearm Adult Crutches Recommended as the best crutches for long-term use, these Aluminum Forearm Adult Crutches are perfect after knee or ankle surgery.These crutches have been specially built rough for a longer-lasting performance.Totally silent usage is provided by the internal bushings and external lock nuts used, while the tapered, vinyl-coated, contoured arm cuffs make them comfortable and easy to use.The heavy-wall, high-strength aluminum tubing allows for users with a maximum weight of 250 pounds, and is adjustable to heights of between 5’10”and 6’6”.They’re also available in youth sizes, adjustable between 5’ and 6’2”.Pros Long-lasting Silent to use Two sizesCons Forearm - not suitable for everyone Sold individually, not in pairs Check The Best Price Here Buyer's Guide To Finding The Perfect Crutches For You The type of crutch you need will depend a lot on your specific injury and circumstances.As mentioned above, if you can put no weight at all on one leg then underarm crutches are the right choice, and if you just need some extra help then forearm crutches should be sufficient. You may even be able to get away with just using one crutch as a cane. If you're not sure, ask your healthcare practitioner before you go out and buy the wrong thing. You also need to look at the weight that the crutches say they can carry, as you want to be sure you've got a product that's up to the job. You should also check that the crutches can be adjusted for your height. This might make life more complicated if you're particularly tall or short. Bear in mind that you should get something that can be adapted for people of different shapes and sizes to use.Someone else in your family might find themselves in need of crutches a few months or years down the line, and it would be a shame to fork out for a second pair if these didn't work for them. How To Use Crutches If you've never used crutches, you might be a bit confused initially about how to actually get around on them. Don't worry, though, you'll soon get the hang of it. Using underarm and forearm crutches is fairly similar. Although it's tempting to put weight on the underarms when using underarm crutches, you should still be bearing the majority of your weight on your hands, as you would with forearm crutches.To walk, place the crutches roughly a step in front of you. Step as if you were going to place your weight on your other foot as normal, but shift your weight to your crutches instead. Move your body forwards between the crutches, coming to rest on your good leg again. Then repeat the process!When you're using crutches, make sure you always look up and ahead of you, whilst being aware of the terrain you're passing over. To get up and down stairs, don't try and use your crutches as you could slip and hurt yourself. The best idea is to tuck your crutches under your arm and hop up the stairs using the handrail for support.If there's no hand rail, it might be best to consider going down the steps on your bottom.Don't plan to travel any long distances on your crutches until you've really got the hang of them and built up the muscles you'll need! You don't want to end up with sore shoulders and arms as well as an injured foot. Padding For Crutches However good the crutches you get are, you're always going to need some extra padding, especially if you're going to be using them alot. With all that weight on your hands, you're going to end up with blisters if you don't get some extra padding. It's always a good idea to recycle anything you've got lying around the house, like foam. Attach it to the handles with tape and then cover it with some more comfortable material. You can also buy special padding for crutch handles if you'd rather. It's always a good idea to wear a pair of comfortable gloves just for that extra level of padding and protection. Be sure to get yourself some lightweight ones in the summer so you don't end up sweating too much. Recovery Tips For Ankle And Knee Surgery If you're on crutches thanks to surgery rather than an accident, you'll be keen to know how to speed up to recovery process. After all, no one wants to be on crutches for longer than strictly necessary. Firstly, be sure to listen carefully to the after-care advice your healthcare professional gives you and follow it to the letter. You'll be told whether or not you have to keep all weight off the limb or if you can partially weight bear on it, and this is extremely important. Secondly, as in all such cases, you need to keep the limb elevated as much as possible. This promotes blood flow which give your body a helping hand when it comes to healing. Be sure not to push yourself to much and take all the time you need off work to help yourself recover and not aggravate matters.Eat well, make sure you get enough sleep, and drink plenty of fluids, as all that will give your body the energy it needs to heal efficiently. Conclusion At the end of the day, the best crutches are the ones that are going to make your recovery process all the more comfortable and manageable.The best crutches for knee surgery recovery would be those that help to keep as much weight off it as possible and the best crutches generally share similar padding and comfort designs. They're definitely worth investing in. After looking at all the options out there, we've decided the Hugo Crutches are your best bet, incredibly lightweight for ease, and fully adjustable. If they don't suit you through, you've still got four other options. If none of the products we've reviewed appeal to you, use our handy buying guide to track down the right ones.Check out our how-to guide, as using crutches is a tricky business for a first-timer, and then learn about padding for crutches and get a few tips for speedy recovery, so you can be off your crutches in no time at all.I hope that this informative look at some of the best crutches on Amazon is going to help you make the right decision if the time ever comes.All the best with your recovery. Just keep smiling!
