OMG i HATE CRUTCHES!!!?

Question

ok im on crutches now because of my knee thing goin on...and the crutches are killing me!
they are hurting my sholders and my armpits soo bad!
i can barely walk anyways and now i can barely walk with my crutches because my arms/sholders hurt soooooo bad!!!!!!!!
do you know anything i can do to to make it somewhat easier to bare the pain? and dont say get a wheelchair because i know i can do that-but i dont have a wheelchair. please help!


thank you,
dani

and yes i have been taking advil and it doesnt help much


and i have to walk around school with them and they absolutely SUCK!
this is the 2nd time i have had crutches in the winter and with the snow and ice IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

and i cant get a cane because i cant put any pressure on my knee-i have a knee immobilizer.

and YES i have had crutches before.
i have practiced

and i know that ur not supposed to put any pressure onur armpits....its the sides of them rubbing against my arms when i push up on them to walk.

Answer 1

technique makes all the difference

Answer 2

Oh I know how you feel. When I was in high school I was on crutches for 12 weeks. Do you or your parents have insurance? I got a wheelchair and it was covered by insurance. It was a little embarassing, but it helped. I left my classes a few minutes early so no one would see me in the hallway. Also, I have been on crutches since December 5th and I know how painful they can be. Use your hands and arms. But after awhile you will probably get sores on your hands like I did. I put two pairs of thick socks on the armpit part and duct taped a face cloth around the hand part and it helps so much. I put vaseline on my sides and under my arms to help with the chafing. Good luck. It won't last forver.

Answer 3

First of all, you need to make sure the crutches fit you properly. Your doctor should've fit them to you. Secondly, you should be putting your weight on your forearms instead of resting on the crutches at the armpit. If you don't have the strength to do that, you will have to stay down and not use them, except when you absolutely must get up. Below is an article with pictures that shows you how to correctly use them. Yes, crutches stink, but bearing weight on your knee could cause permanent disability.

Answer 4

I was on crutches off and on from kindergarten until eighth grade. You can buy pads or make pads for the pads that are already there and don't work. Try using your hands to boost yourself up so that you won't put as much pressure on your pits. I know that they rub on you anyway. After a while you'll get callouses and it won't hurt as much. You can rent temporary wheelchairs from the pharmacy. Use vaseline on the chafing under your arms at bedtime. I can't use crutches anymore because I have arthritis in my hands severely. So I use my wheelchair after my foot/leg surgeries. Also limit the time you are on them. Have friends do things that save you walking. good luck

Answer 5

If the pain in your shoulders and under arms is that bad then I would either ask for different crutches....they have crutches that encircle the for-arm with protruding bars to hold on to....or if it's really bad. There is also a thing that sort of looks like a walker that you can rest your leg on....it has wheels, breaks and things like that....I think it would probably be alot easier to handle in the winter dealing with the snow and all.....
As for the pain....each individual reacts differently to each various kind of pain med....if advil isn't working try / ask for something different

Answer 6

Knee = QUADS
Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 7

Depending on how long you're going to be on crutches I'd reccomend either forearm crutches or millenial crutches ( http://www.medsupplystore.com/mcrutch.html ) which is a newer design for crutches. For short term aid in this problem I would just wrap the underarm pads with small towels and use proper supporting techniques, which has been suggested by other users ~Keith

Answer 8

I have a broken foot right now. Been in a cast for almost 6 wks and still cant put weight on my foot yet. Have you tried a walker? It was real cheap with my insurance. I can't imagine that expensice if you don't have insurance. You can get anyplace at place that has medical supplies. The crutches scared me to death. I was always afraid of falling. With a walker you have 4 points of balance instead of 2 with the crutchs. A friend took a pair toddler sized short pant overalls and sewed the legs closed. I hang them on the front of my walker. Its sort of like a back pack for walkers. I put all kinds of stuff in them. Plus they have lots of pockets for you cell phone, pens, ipod, wallet, and whatever else you need to take to school. You can decorate the overalls with all kinds of things too. Happy walking!!!

Answer 9

First thing kiddo, lower your crutches so you're not putting so much pressure on your pits. Fold up hand towels and either tape or tie them on the tops of the crutch pads to make it softer on you. Next, use your hands to absorb your weight instead of leaning on your crutches. When your knee gets a little better and can bear weight again get a cool cane and toss the crutches! Hang in there!

Answer 10

Hold on...chill out. Yes they hurt. But you aren't supposed to have them in your arm pits. You're supposed to carry yourself on your hands. Wrap the hand pads with a towel, washcloth to give you more cushion. Lock your arms and only brace yourself on your hands...never your armpits. I was 38 when I was on those horrible things for 8 weeks. So I know you can do this. Think of the strong upper body you'll have when this is over!

Answer 11

You're not supposed to put any pressure up under your armpit...you're supposed to bear all your weight in your arms. You can try attaching something soft and cushy to the underarm section of the crutch to ease some of the pressure.