Crutch

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A knee support crutch

A typical forearm crutch

Crutches are medical tools used in the event that one's leg or legs may be injured or unable to support weight. The term, crutch, can also refer to anything used by a person as a psychological or emotional prop, or to something used as an excuse not to engage in normal life activities.

1 Medical Crutches
- 1.1 Types
- 1.2 Information on Usage
2 Slang Terminology
- 2.1 Materials
3 External links

[edit] Medical Crutches

[edit] Types

There are several different types of medical crutches:

Forearm: These are the most common type in Europe, but used in the US almost exclusively by people with permanent disabilities. These are used by slipping the arm into a cuff and holding the grip. At least in the US, these are sometimes referred to as Canadian crutches.
Under-arm: These are the most common type in the United States, and are used most often by people with temporary disability or injury. These are used by placing the pads under the armpits and holding the grip, which is below and parallel to the armpit pad. These are sometimes known as axillary crutches.
Strutters: These are a variation on under-arm crutches, incorporating large soles which remains flat on the floor or ground while the user walks. They allow for an improved walking gait, and distribute body weight to reduct the risk of nerve damage caused by under-arm crutches.
Platform: These are less common and used by those with poor hand grip (due to arthritis, cerebral palsy, etc.). The arm rests on a horizontal platform and is strapped in place.
Knee Support: These type of crutches allow the knee of the injured leg to be placed on a support, whereby the injured leg now points backward behind the patient. This style of crutch affords the patient the ability to have one or both hands free to carry objects. Upper thigh atrophy is also reduced due to the fact that half the patients weight is now supported by each thigh rather than one thigh and the armpits

[edit] Information on Usage

Several different gait patterns are possible, and the user chooses which one to use depending on the reason the crutches are needed. For example, a person with a leg injury generally lifts the injured leg, places both crutches in front of himself, and then swings his uninjured leg to meet the crutches. Other gaits are used when both legs are equally affected by some disability.

When using crutches to travel somewhere, it is often referred to as "crutching." As in, "I am going to crutch to the store," or "I will be crutching over to your place."

[edit] Slang Terminology

The term, crutch, is also used in slang terminology to mean, "Something that is not fashionable or reliable."^{[citation needed]} Example: Those shoes are so crutch. When are you gonna buy some new ones? The term relates to the term, "Lame" which contains a similar if not identical slang meaning.

Additionally, the word "crutch" can refer to an object that is a weakness, that the bearer requires in order to function (metaphorically)