The Pros and Cons of Crutches

Whether you’ve had a broken ankle surgery or you’re attempting to recover from an Achilles tendon injury, it’s highly likely that your doctor is attempting to put you on crutches. While you certainly appreciate your doctor’s efforts to make you feel comfortable, you can’t help but feel a little suspicious that she’s trying to force a medieval torture device on you.

After all, crutches certainly aren’t easy to maneuver. You have to get used to carrying most of your weight on your armpits (that is an area of the body that should NEVER be exercised). You have to get used to expanding your “wingspan” by another three feet. And you have to deal with carrying around two stilts that will practically be your new best friend in the coming weeks and months.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom with crutches. If you want to find the pros and cons of crutches, look no further – we’ve outlined them all for you:

Pros

1.  If you have good upper mobility, using a crutch will be much easier for you. You can usually walk faster with crutches, which means you’ll be able to beat everyone getting in line for Starbucks.

2. Crutches can be a good way to get exercise while you’re recovering from a major foot or ankle injury. Since it takes so much energy to use them, you may find that they’ll help you stay in shape while you’re out of the gym.

3. Crutches are generally less expensive than other mobility options.

Cons

1. Crutches significantly inhibit the use of your upper body. When your arms and hands are busy clutching you crutches, it can be difficult to free up your upper body to move things, open doors, and do other activities.

2. Crutches significantly inhibit the use of your upper body. When your arms and hands are busy clutching you crutches, it can be difficult to free up your upper body to move things, open doors, and do other activities.

3. The risk of losing your balance is also higher with using crutches – and if you lose your balance, you could end up causing serious damage to your injured foot or ankle.

4. Oftentimes people find that crutches hurt their armpits or their wrists.

Weigh up these pros and cons to determine if crutches are the right mobility option for you.

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