Limb injuries do not always go away without leaving a trace. Sometimes, after a fracture or severe bruise, people cannot walk independently. Then crutches or a cane come to the rescue.
The main function of crutches and canes is support. A person can shift part of the load from the musculoskeletal system to an assistive device. Another equally important task is to improve the coordination of people with poor visual function. Not every device can achieve the above goals, so you need to choose the best model. And what is the difference between crutches and a cane?
Arm crutches
Elbow crutches have a fulcrum point at the elbow. They are usually smaller and lighter than the axillary ones. Typically, elbow crutches are used in the final stages of rehabilitation. This device is optimal for patients who can partially support their own body weight, but transfer the load to their arms.
The advantage of elbow crutches is mobility; with their help you can move much faster and more conveniently. When using elbow crutches, there is no pressure on the axillary area, since the supporting surface is the hand and forearm.
Cautions and other tips
You must exercise caution when using a cane. The rubber-tipped end of the cane will provide traction. However, take extra care when using reeds in wet, icy or slippery conditions.
Here are some additional safety tips:
- Look straight ahead instead of looking down.
- Make sure the cane is completely stable before moving forward.
- Try not to place your cane too far forward, as it may slip.
- Keep the cane away from anything that might get in the way, such as electrical cords, clutter, or furniture.
- Be aware of pets, children and slippery carpets.
- Make sure all your paths are well lit. Place night lights along the path from the bedroom to the bathroom.
- Use non-slip bath mats, safety grates and a raised toilet seat in your bathroom. You can also use a shower seat.
- Set up and organize your living space so that all the items you need access to are easily accessible.
- Use a backpack or crossbody bag to keep your hands free. You can also use an apron or attach a small bag to the cane with Velcro.
Axillary crutches
Axillary, also known as classic, crutches shift the load onto the shoulders and arms, thereby completely freeing the affected leg from movement. Therefore, they are used in the early stages of rehabilitation after injuries or surgical interventions.
Axillary crutches are two parallel pipes made of metal or wood, which are connected at the bottom into one stand. On top there is a small pillow on which the shoulder rests. In the middle there is a handle for the brush.
check yourself
The cane is too long for you if:
- you have to place it at an angle to the side;
- when walking you have to raise the cane completely;
- when walking, the elbow protrudes to the side;
- the shoulder rises to the ear, and the spine bends in the direction opposite to the cane;
- your shoulder, wrist and arm muscles hurt.
The cane is too short for you if:
- you have to bend over and stoop;
- when walking, the spine bends towards the cane;
- when you lean on a cane, one shoulder drops lower than the other;
- your back, hip and wrist hurt.
Let's keep our backs! How to choose a corset for posture Read more
How to choose axillary crutches?
2 fingers should be placed between the armpit and the upper support. For comfortable support on the lower crossbar, you need to bend your arm 30 degrees and form a fist.
The orthopedist prescribes the required type of crutches based on the consequences of the injury and the patient’s condition. It is noteworthy that crutches have a size chart like clothing:
S – designed for a height of 110–140 cm and a maximum load of 90 kg M – for a height of 140–180 cm and a load of 110 kg L – height from 180 cm and a load of 120 kg.
Orthopedic experts also recommend paying attention to the tips of crutches; the most comfortable and stable ones are pyramidal.
Tip
In order for the cane to serve as a truly reliable support, it must be equipped with a tip. The tips are made of plastic or soft rubber with a small metal plate inside that protects the tip from being pierced by the shaft pipe. Tips are available with a diameter of 2.5 to 5 cm and are selected depending on the thickness of the cane - before you start using the cane, you need to make sure that the tip fits tightly to the shaft and will not slip off while walking. During the cold season, you should not neglect various anti-slip devices.
Children's crutches
Crutches can help your child get back into shape faster after a leg, foot, or ankle injury. Initially, it is better to encourage the child, act slowly and teach him how to use crutches correctly. Children may easily fall or lose their balance when using them.
Children under 7 years old will not be able to use crutches. If the child is not coordinated enough to use crutches, do not use them. Your GP or physiotherapist may be able to suggest alternative options.
How to walk on crutches?
- Place the crutch on the ground 30 centimeters from the body
- Lean your body forward
- Make it look like the support will now go to your sore leg.
- Shift your weight onto the crutches and swing your legs forward between them.
- Keep the injured leg elevated
How to walk up stairs on crutches?
- Connect both crutches together
- Hold them with one hand so that they are parallel to the floor
- Lean on the stair railing
- Jump up or down stairs on your good leg
How to insert and sit on crutches?
- Combine crutches
- Grab them with your hand from the side of your healthy leg
- Carefully stand up or sit down using crutches
Varieties
Unlike crutches, a cane provides its owner with little support while walking, so it is needed to make it easier to transfer body weight to the wrist or forearm.
Typically, your doctor will recommend using this medical device for minor fractures, just to improve your balance.
Attention! The purpose of a cane is purely auxiliary; the product is not intended to support the entire body weight.
In a specialized store you will find a huge selection of all kinds of cane options - from the simplest and most discreet, to exclusive and collectible. Let's look at them in more detail.
- Pen. Some devices are designed to be held with the hand and fingers, while others rest on the forearms to provide this particular part of the body with additional support. The handle of your own orthopedic instrument should be durable, comfortable, and not slip out of your hands.
- Trunk. Another name for this part is the shaft. A variety of materials can be used for its manufacture: wood, metal, carbon fiber, and so on. The barrel can be folding - this is convenient if you move often.
- Tip. Located at the bottom of the structure and usually covered with rubber to provide maximum stability. Sometimes manufacturers equip the instrument with several tips (there may be three or four) so that the cane can support more weight.
- Colors. There are no restrictions here at all. There are a huge number of jewelry options that you can order individually to become the owner of a unique item. Especially if complications after a fracture force you to use the tool for many years.
Walking cane
This is the most basic type of support, with the help of which the load on the legs is redistributed and provides comfort when moving. The cane is recommended for people who are able to hold its handle firmly and have sufficient strength in the forearm and shoulder.
There are several types of cane designs:
Classic cane
This is a model with a regular handle and a small knob. This model is quite versatile and ideal for daily use. They are usually made of metal, wood or plastic.
Support cane
This product is used during rehabilitation. Usually made of metal. It is equipped with a tip with three legs, which is why it is the most stable and reliable among all types.
Telescopic cane
Such models can be adjusted to the owner’s height using a push-button lock with several possible levels of movement. Also made of metal.
Folding cane
It consists of a set of pipes inserted into each other and an elastic band attached to the handle. This design allows the device to be folded and stored compactly.
Combined canes combine the two previous types of folding.
When choosing, it is worth considering the material. For example, wooden canes are quite heavy, therefore they are not very comfortable and are not suitable for all patients. On the contrary, plastic ones are very light, but not so durable. Aluminum canes are the golden mean; they combine strength, lightness and mobility.
It is also important to choose a cane of the required length for comfortable use. The ideal length is mid-thigh. If it is shorter, the patient will hunch over and overload the wrist; if it is long, it will overload the shoulder joint. It is wrong to determine the appropriate length only by the patient’s height - the parameter also depends on posture and the length of the arms and legs.
Everyone determines the optimal weight of the cane for their own hand. Most models weigh from 100 to 400 grams. If the cane is too heavy, the person will overload the supporting hand and become very tired. However, a cane that is too light can create a feeling of instability.
There are categories of people who cannot do without auxiliary support when walking. A cane is needed for the disabled and elderly. Most often, “sticks” are used by people with chronic diseases. For example, patients with poor quality of vision, severe damage to joints or bones. A separate group is traumatic causes associated with mechanical damage to the lower extremities.
Who do doctors prescribe a cane to:
- People with varying degrees of disability
- Aged people
- People with poor coordination.
Canes for the elderly are different from each other and sometimes it is difficult to understand the entire range. There are several popular models. An umbrella cane is a device with a powerful handle, a durable tip and a metal rod. The device does not signal illness or age, as the cane looks like a regular cane. A collapsible cane that can be easily folded and put away when not needed may be suitable.
There are other types of canes: fiberglass, metal, silver-plated, etc. Regardless of the type of “stick,” a high-quality model should have an ergonomic handle and a tip with a rubber tip.
Which hand is best to hold a cane?
- Experts advise using a cane on the side of the healthy leg. If the left one is damaged, then you need to hold the cane in the right and vice versa
- To maintain balance, it is better to leave your working hand free and hold the cane in the other hand
What is the best way to walk with a cane?
- First, take a step with the injured leg
- Next you should move the cane forward
- Simultaneously distribute the weight on the sore leg and the cane itself, then the device takes up most of the body and relieves the leg
- It is not necessary to use a cane when stepping with your healthy leg.
How to walk up stairs with a cane?
- First you need to grab the railing
- Transfer the cane to your free hand
- Take a step up or down with your healthy leg
- Raise or lower the sore leg to the healthy one
Choosing an assistant
When you need a cane to complement an extravagant look, you can purchase absolutely any model without thinking about how it suits your body constitution. If it comes to treating a fracture or the rehabilitation period after a long and not entirely pleasant procedure, you should not buy a cane at random. In this case, the product must suit the person from start to finish and correspond to his physiology.
First of all, the length of the device should be taken into account: an option that is too short can provoke the development of a stoop, and an option that is too long can cause curvature of the body to one side.
To calculate the required length of the tool, you need to stand up straight and bend your arm at the elbow at an angle of approximately twenty degrees. The handle should be located in the area of the bend of the wrist.
The handle itself matters, or rather its shape. It should be ergonomic, following the contours of the hand. Feel free to hold the options offered by the seller and test them several times until you understand what is comfortable.
Where to buy crutches or a cane?
The online pharmacy 24farmacia offers different options for canes and crutches. Our assortment includes models for different categories of people. To order, add the product you like to your cart and place your order online. Or call 8 (391) 2911 555.
Delivery is carried out to the Provincial Pharmacies network or to the door of your home. Courier delivery is carried out on weekdays from 10:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 24:00 only in the city of Krasnoyarsk. The order can be paid online or at the place of receipt of the order using a bank card.
When to see a physiotherapist?
If you've tried using a cane on your own and still don't feel confident or completely stable, talk to a physical therapist. It can help you build the muscle strength, balance and coordination needed to use a cane safely and correctly.
A physical therapist can also ensure that the cane fits properly, which can reduce falls and injuries. He can give you exercises to work on on your own and check your progress.
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Care of support devices
Caring for walkers and canes requires little effort. Support means will last for many years if you follow a number of these rules:
- The support means must be kept clean: wash with a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth, without using solvents or oily liquids;
- Canes and walkers should be inspected daily for tip wear. If the tips show signs of damage or wear, they should be replaced immediately;
- Change the tip of the reed according to the season. Make sure it is not erased.