Crutches, as an aid for the elderly or people with mobility problems, play an important role in life. But do you really know how to choose and use crutches properly?
Today, let's learn about the types of crutches, choices, precautions, as well as doctor's recommendations and other alternative aids.
Crutches are an important medical rehabilitation aids, which are mainly categorized into canes, elbow canes, axillary canes, four-legged crutches, walking aids, and so on.
Walking Cane: Walking Cane is the lightest type of crutches and is suitable for people who need assistance in mild cases, such as the elderly and hikers. Walking canes mainly provide hand support and are easy to carry and store.
Elbow Canes: Elbow canes provide support through the elbow and are suitable for people who need moderate support. Elbow canes are effective in distributing pressure and reducing the burden on the wrist and shoulder for patients who have been using crutches for a long time.
Axillary Cane: The axillary cane is the most stable type of crutch, providing good stability and support through the axillary support, and is suitable for people with fractures of the lower limbs, serious injuries, and severe disabilities. Armpit canes, especially their anti-slip devices, require special attention to ensure safety.
Four-legged Crutch: Four-legged Crutch have four supportive feet that provide greater stability and balance for people who need greater balance support. Four-legged Crutch usually consist of four support feet and a handle, making them more stable than single-leg canes.
Walkers: Walkers are similar to trolleys for patients who need more support and stability, such as after a fracture or for those with severe cardiovascular disease. Walkers are suitable for indoor use and provide additional support and stability.
Choosing the right crutches is crucial. Firstly, you need to choose a walking stick of the right length according to your height and stride; secondly, you need to consider the material, design and weight of the walking stick, including materials such as wood, metal, plastic and carbon fibre, etc., each of which has its own characteristics and applicability. For example, wooden crutches are light and beautiful, suitable for light use; metal crutches are durable and height-adjustable, suitable for people who need stronger support; carbon fibre crutches are lightweight and strong, suitable for people who need high-strength support; lastly, the non-slip performance of the crutches should also be considered to ensure that they are safe and stable during the walking process.
Finally, the anti-slip properties of the cane should also be considered to ensure safety and stability during walking.
Follow your doctor's advice When choosing and using crutches, it is advisable to consult a doctor or professional. They can provide you with personalised advice and guidance based on your physical condition and needs.
Alternative Aids Apart from crutches, there are many other aids available, such as wheelchairs. These can be selected and used according to an individual's specific needs, providing varying degrees of support and convenience.
In conclusion, the proper use of crutches is critical for older adults or those with mobility issues. By understanding the types of crutches, choices, precautions to be taken, as well as doctor's advice and other alternative assistive devices, we can make better use of crutches to enhance walking safety and comfort. It is also important to remember to check your health regularly, adjust the use of assistive devices according to your needs and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
