Preventing Armpit Pain When Using Crutches: A Guide

A leg injury takes time and rest to recover from. If you need to use crutches to avoid putting pressure on your leg, you will need to learn the proper technique for walking with them. Poor technique can cause pain in your armpits and, according to the Medical University of South Carolina, you can damage nerves and blood vessels with constant pressure. Avoiding armpit pain is as simple as learning how to hold and use your crutches properly.

Instructions

• 1

  Measure the crutches to your body by standing straight and allowing your arms to hang loosely. The top of the crutches should hit about two finger-widths down from the armpit.

• 2

  Tuck a crutch under each armpit. Hold the crutches firmly between your chest and arms. Your hands should fit comfortably on the padded hand piece.

• 3

  Avoid letting the crutches press up into your armpits. Continue holding them tightly between your chest and upper arm and put your weight into your hands.

• 4

  Use the crutches for walking in the technique prescribed by your doctor. Non-weight bearing and partial-weight bearing walking will vary.