 Equipment Fitting a patient for crutches | |
The procedure for fitting a patient for crutches depends on the type of crutches the patient will use. Fitting Axillary Crutches To measure for axillary crutches, position each crutch so that it extends from a point 4′ to 6′ (10.2 to 15.2 cm) to the side of the foot and 1′ to 1⠏′ (2.5 to 3.8 cm, or about the width of two fingers) below the axillary fold.3
Adjust the handgrip so that the patient’s elbow is flexed at a 30-degree angle and the wrist is flexed at a 15-degree angle when the patient is standing with the crutches in the resting position.2 The handgrip should be even with the top of the hip line. Check that the vinyl padding on the arm cuff, the rubber handgrip, and the rubber tip at the end of the crutches are secure.
Fitting Forearm Crutches To fit forearm crutches, have the patient flex the elbow about 30 degrees so that the crease in the wrist is at the hip.2 Then measure the patient’s forearm from 3ʺ (7.6 cm) below the elbow (A) and add the distance between the wrist and the floor (B). This is the total length (C).
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