Best Crutches: For Non Weight Bearing, Ankle Or Knee Surgery

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.

Crutches that fit well won’t make you heal faster on their own, but they help you follow your weight-bearing instructions safely, which supports healing faster and 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.

Our Top Picks For The Best Crutches

Image	Product	Underarm or Forearm	Folding	Sizes	Price Guide	Buy Now
Hugo Mobility Lightweight Adjustable Aluminum Crutches	Hugo Mobility Lightweight Adjustable Aluminum Crutches	Underarm	No	Medium Adult, Tall Adult, Youth	$$
Cardinal Health Adjustable Auxiliary Crutch	Cardinal Health Adjustable Auxiliary Crutch	Underarm	No	One Size (Adjustable)	$$
Carex Folding Crutches	Carex Folding Crutches	Underarm	Yes	One Size (Adjustable)	$$$
Push Button Aluminum Crutches by Wes Care Supply Inc.	Push Button Aluminum Crutches By Wes Care Supply Inc.	Underam	No	Medium	$$
Medline Aluminum Forearm Adult Crutches	Medline Aluminum Forearm Adult Crutches	Forearm	No	Adult, Tall, Youth	$$$

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. The tops sit just below 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. A cuff wraps around your forearm, just below the elbow.

That means most of your weight is on your hands, whereas with underarm crutches it’s distributed between your hands and armpits.

Forearm crutches are often used for longer-term needs. They take more arm strength and balance than underarm crutches, so ask your clinician or physical therapist which type suits you.

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. One option is the hands-free crutch, which straps to your bent leg. It isn’t suitable for every injury, so check with your clinician first.

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 five well-rated crutches on Amazon and what they have to offer. Specs below come from the makers’ listings, so confirm the height range and weight limit before you buy.

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 add comfort during recovery from ankle surgery.

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
• Reinforced

Cons

• 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.

Cardinal Health’s Adjustable Auxiliary Crutches aim to ease that with softer padding.

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 priced

Cons

• 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 store

Cons

• 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 assembled

Cons

• Max. weight capacity 250 lb
• Max. height 5’9″

Check The Best Price Here

5. Medline Aluminum Forearm Adult Crutches

These Aluminum Forearm Adult Crutches are designed for long-term use. Ask your clinician whether forearm crutches suit your recovery.

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 sizes

Cons

• 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.

Your clinician or physical therapist will tell you how much weight you can put on your leg and which type of crutch to use. Don’t switch to one crutch or a cane until they say it’s safe.

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. With underarm crutches, the tops should sit 1 to 1 1/2 inches below your armpits. Let your hands carry your weight, not your armpits, because pressing on the armpits can injure nerves.

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.

Stairs take practice, so have someone with you the first few times. Going up, step up with your strong leg first, then bring up the crutches and the injured leg. Going down, put the crutches on the step below first, then the injured leg, then the strong leg.

If there’s a handrail, you can hold it with one hand and carry both crutches in the other. Until you feel ready, it’s safer to sit down and scoot up or down one step at a time.

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 your crutches are, you may want some extra padding, especially if you’re going to be using them a lot.

With all that weight on your hands, extra padding can help prevent blisters. Make sure any padding is secure and doesn’t make the grip slippery.

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 after surgery, you’ll be keen to know how to support your recovery. 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, keep the limb elevated as your care team advises. Elevation helps reduce swelling. Don’t push yourself too hard, and take the time you need to recover.

Eat well, get enough sleep and drink plenty of fluids. Call your surgeon right away if you notice increasing pain, redness, fever, or calf pain and swelling, which can signal infection or a blood clot.

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 are the ones that fit you properly and let you follow your weight-bearing instructions comfortably. They’re definitely worth investing in.

Of the options we looked at, we think the Hugo Crutches are a good choice for many adults within their height range, as they are lightweight and adjustable. If they don’t suit you, 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, to help your recovery go smoothly.

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!

Sources

• Using crutches, MedlinePlus (NIH)