How to Use Crutches: No More Numb Arms & Low Back Pain!

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How to use crutches! Wow, it is incredible how many people were never taught how to use them correctly! It is not their fault, but unfortunately the numbness they get in the arm, or tightness in their back makes them think differently.

[@alex011]

You're a lifesaver. Big thanks from a guy with an unhappy triad! 🙂

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Glad I could help!

[@christinasherwood9476]

Ave a fractured tibial plateau that I'm trying to heal. Been told non weight bearing for 3 month, one month in and just want to be sure I'm right on my use of UK crutches. Also have an almost fully torn miniscus that can be repaired but not until fracture is healed well enough to support that. Any help would be appreciated as I really need to do better

[@serpasassessments5465]

I love the video and the great explanation- both the "how to" and the "why do". Following up on the other person's comment and your reply about how to use crutches when there are 2 problem feet/legs would be helpful. I was traveling back to the US and broke my leg in the Belgian airport and sprained the other ankle. They put a cast on one leg and wrapped the sprained ankle on it so I also appreciated the other comment about how to walk when the other foot has a cast or a boot on it. It's I couldn't get the heel to toe situation going. I'm sorry that you broke your leg and hope that your leg is in recovery. Any comments that you have or videos that you can do please find a way to let me know. Thanks for all that you do these are wonderful. I've never had to use crutches much less these European style and it feels very unnatural. I am stuck in a Belgian hotel room and watching your videos and trying to learn what nobody told me to do in the emergency room so that I can somehow manage to fly home internationally. You are a blessing.

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Thank you and I am sorry it took me soooooo long to respond. I want to start making videos again for YT but I always seem to NOT find the time 🙈

[@m.taylor]

I am using underarm crutches and they are really hard on the wrist and hand. I definitely need to look into forearm crutches.

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

They are annoying in their own sense (they seem to fall sooo much more when they are leaning against a wall and not being used) but they are def nice because they don’t “sit” directly under our armpits

[@cherylharris5695]

Very helpful thanks

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

For sure! Thank you for commenting

[@justina2333]

I have been on crutches 3 weeks now and my lower back is killing me!

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

If you ever want to ask any questions feel free to join my LIVE Q&A on Fridays here facebook.com/groups/unbreakablelowerback

[@neverbeaten]

No if you step on your foot your fractures will worsen. Listen to your doctor. If he says non weight bearing DO NOT ATTEMPT!

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

I don’t think I ever said not to listen to your doctor did I? The problem is that many doctors either fit the patient wrong for the crutches and or give them no advice or education on how to use them. Obviously, everyone should listen to their doctors advice, but they also should not be afraid to ask questions about what they are told to do. The particular case of the child I am talking about in this video was exactly that. His parents were giving no instructions on how to move forward (no pun intended) and or how long their son needed to use them

[@Mel-pb5xw]

Agreed. The video is great for once partial weight bearing is safe/ allowed, but the repeated implication that putting the foot down at all with every step can be considered non weight bearing & is always a good idea is, while obviously well intended, misleading & could definitely cause major problems in certain situations.

[@marie-victoirefoudabana9552]

My crutches help for my leg but I always finish with tfcc injury , tendons inflammations in each thumb . So yeah 😅😂

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Ya, crutches are exactly that “crutches” which should only be used for as little time as possible or they will begin to put a “crutch” into our normal live and or other things

[@marie-victoirefoudabana9552]

@@AmericanPTstuttgart my knee injury should have healed in a week but it's already the second. And my irm is in March so thanks for ur videos😂🙏🏾.

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

If you ever want to ask any questions feel free to join my LIVE Q&A on Fridays here facebook.com/groups/unbreakablelowerback

[@dalepaladin916]

I stopped to watch your video because of the part of your title about numbness "No More Numb Arms." I have the standard crutches that go under the armpit and have been experiencing numbness in the hand wrist and fingers of the right hand, because as I later learned, I was using the crutches incorrectly. When I saw that part of your title, I had hoped you were offering a solution. But unless I missed it, you didn't mention anything at all about correcting and eliminating the numbness, which I am now aware occurs when you put your body weight on the top of the crutch instead of allowing the body weight to be supported by the hands. Still, a good video but for the omission.

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Sorry for my late reply! Did your numbness get better? It often gets better within time since the “cause” of the problem is eliminated (meaning the pressure under the arm pit is no longer there)

[@FlipMacz]

Why doesn't anyone cover how to use forearm crutches when there are 2 bad legs, due to disease?🤷

[@mizaistomnanas5174]

hard agree!! just ordered mine for fibro and there's maybe 1 or 2 videos that aren't for an injury 🙁

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

I am sorry I never replied! I did not see this comment. Give me a little detail with what you mean and I am more than happy to do a video about it!

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

I am sorry I never replied! I did not see this comment. Give me a little detail with what you mean and I am more than happy to do a video about it!

[@FlipMacz]

@@AmericanPTstuttgartok...well...seems like all the crutch vids cover one single injured leg. But what if you have two legs that don't work, due to disease? It would be nice to know the do's and don'ts of crutch use, when both legs are not working. Like, paralysis. Thx!🌼

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

That’s a great point! Let me do some research on that because I am sure I can find some good strategies and I can def do a video about it!

[@AS-ys8lu]

I have the same crutches. Tried everything but my arms have given in. Unable to walk with them. My ankle is so injured that I am unable to put my foot down, and my arms are not able to carry my body weight. Super sore arms and armpit... any tips? I don't want to be in bed all the time =/

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

I am sorry to hear that it is so difficult for you at the moment. Sorry for my late response too! How are things at the moment? Has anything changed for the better?

[@AS-ys8lu]

@@AmericanPTstuttgart Thank you so much for responding. Means a lot 😊 But no, it is the same. Less sore in my arms but walking has still been a big project. Stuck to bed :/

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

I am sorry to hear that! You are using crutches like the ones I have in my video or the typical American ones that go under the armpits?

[@AS-ys8lu]

@@AmericanPTstuttgart No I have the ones you are using in the video :)

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Ok, how is is when you try to use the crutches and your foot all together? Then you are able to share the weight distribution of your body from both crutches and your injured ankle. What did you do to it by the way?

[@MariaGarcia-jm9uw]

WHICH ARE BETTER EUROPEAN OR REGULAR AMERICAN CRUTCH

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Great question. I am a fan more of the European. But both are ok!

[@mudman3710]

European are better. I broke my femur while traveling in Germany this summer and this type is what I received from hospital. It's been a long recovery I've used them for 6 months, and I still like them.

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

@mudman3710 oh wow! What happened man! But ya, I like the European ones better too!

[@jimbrenner882]

What brand forearm crutches are you using.?

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Honestly, they are ones I found next to the trash can 😂😂. How funny is that! I am in Germany and all the brands are pretty good. If your really in a crutch (no pun intended) let me know and I can get you some brands for sure!

[@jimbrenner882]

Grant Training Systems Thanks for reply. I am an active that has an old knee replacement pack it in. So, cane and crutches for probably a year due to coved19 surgical delays. So, researching forearm crutches. Most I see are cheaply made. Any recommendations or sources would be fantastic. Thanks for video on how to use. Well done. Thanks

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

@@jimbrenner882 I just did a quick Google search and it seems that the average price is around 30€. I would assume those are good enough. I will see tomorrow in my office if I can see the brand of mine and let you know

[@jimbrenner882]

Grant Training Systems Thanks, much appreciated.

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

For sure!

[@magdasparshot7539]

How do you avoid pain in you thump please ?

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Can you explain a little more about the pain and where it is coming from?

[@magdasparshot7539]

@@AmericanPTstuttgart first I of all thank you for responding and so promptly . I saw many video but your explanation were best . I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis arthritis., so my joint are always challenged especially if I repeat the same function numerous times. U get sound in the inside along my thump which touch the crushes handle , it’s rubbing and the effort of holding the crush heart my phone , not the other side , shouke he wearing some protection ? Does it exist ? I just had a full knee replacement .

[@magdasparshot7539]

I am Swiss living in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

@magdasparshot7539 have you tried wrapping something soft around the crutch handle and not using your thumb to wrap around the handle? . Is it the muscle under the thumb or more of the joint that is getting sore?

[@magdasparshot7539]

@@AmericanPTstuttgart the joint , I will wrap a sock around

[@DavidMartin-no7hs]

I've snapped my achillies and my left leg is now in a boot. I've been on crutches two days now and my power back is agony at rest. What do you recommend when not being able to do heel to toe? (because of the boot) I also can't hold it out in front as its much more uncomfortable than when it's behind. Help! 😣

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Sorry for my late reply! However, funny enough I also just broke my leg and had the same issue. Unfortunately, for the beginning you just have to do what you can with crunching around. Once things get a little better you can start to implement the crunching technique. As for your back, there are def a few exercises that can help. Let me see if I can find a few and post them in the comments

[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

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[@AmericanPTstuttgart]

Lower Back Pain & Hip Pain Relief Exercise kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGO2eYtqfJKSq6s