Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

Any tips on using crutches?

13 replies

Hayls · 29/08/2006 18:37

Sound daft I know but I'm really struggling to use them. I've torn cartilage in my knee and until it 'pops' back in it seems I'm stuck with them.
They are really hurting my hands.
I can't get my head round whether I should be using them indoors or just hopping about or using one so I can carry something in my other hand (note to self- do not carry hot tea whilst using crutches)
How the heck do you bend down to pick something up? I managed to pick up all the dirty laundry that dd emptied on the floor by using the crutches while gripping onto the kitchen worktop but surely there is an easier way!!??

Final moan- I tripped over them and landed flat on my face and hurt my knee even more. Very embarrassing.

Rant over. I officially hate using them

OP posts:
notasheep · 29/08/2006 18:44

Get your dp/dh to do the laundry

Make sure they are the right height then you can zoom around,get fit and have fantastic looking upper arms.

I had about 3 weeks on them and still have very proud biceps

lorina · 29/08/2006 18:46

They make your hands quite sore. Try either wrapping something soft around your hands like I did for ds ,OR be like the much clever person I saw several months later (!) and wrap something soft round the handgrips on the crutches.

They arent easy to manage ,it isnt just you

Good luck!

BettySpaghetti · 29/08/2006 18:46

You do get used to them honest! I've had them after two knee ops and when I had SPD.

-have a small rucksack or across-the-body bag that you can carry things around the house in
-have a chair in the kitchen so you can sit and have your tea/coffee next to the kettle (realised this after making my first cup, picking it up and then wondering how I was going to get into the other room with it!)
-go up and down stairs on your bum, sliding crutches alongside you.
-get your DP/DH/DD to do as much as possible
-don't feel you have to do all the household chores -use this time to sit back a bit (at least until you're happier on your crutches)

Get Well Soon

Californifrau · 29/08/2006 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

liquidclocks · 29/08/2006 19:12

The sponges really do help your hands so try those. Also to check you've been given them at the right hight - the handle should be the same height as the crease between your wrist and hand whenyour arm is hanging straight at your side.

Tea and coffee - get yourself a travel mug with a lid so it doesn't spill (or I've been known to use my DS's anywayup cup - but you need to remeber to release the pressure from the valve every now and then)

Is this going to be very long term? If so (though a bit grannyish if you can get over that) then a trolley on wheels is pretty helpful for getting around but still being able to carry stuff.

Also - don't go to the supermarket by yourself - very embarrassing when you get there and realise you can't do any shopping

Joolstoo · 29/08/2006 19:15

yes, don't fall over

hope you're soon ok - sounds painful.

TooTicky · 29/08/2006 19:15

I had them for a while when I was pregnant and couldn't co-ordinate my legs at all.

Original poster
Hayls · 29/08/2006 19:16

Thank you soo much! Have put a stool in the kitchen and dh has taken over dd. I also have a belt bag somewhere that I will dig out and use. DD decided to empty the laundry basket and a packet of noodles all over the kitchen floor then trample all over them so I swept it all up. She then decided to help me and swept them all voer the floor again (hadn't managed to bend down to put them in the bin!)
I need one of those grabbers but I'm hoping not to have to use the crutches for too long so seems a bit indulgent. However, they have said I will probably have to have an op so it might be useful in the long run!

I am hating this so much! Feel trapped in the house, can't get out at all and dh is going away on Thursdau for 4 days . I can't even excape by going to work as it's 15 miles away and I can't drive

I'm having a moany day, can you tell?

OP posts:
liquidclocks · 29/08/2006 19:16

PS - if this is going to be quite long term then you can go to your GP and explain you're having some trouble with day to day activities and could s/he refer you to an occupational therapist (OT) - they specialise in assessing your day to day activities and giving you equipment to help with things that are difficult - the equipment is usually free or a very small charge compared to buying your own.

Original poster
Hayls · 29/08/2006 19:17

LOL Liquidclocks, I did consider using dd's baby buggy to transport everything from kitchen to living room but thought she might throw a wobbly! She has actually been 'helping' in that way only a 2yo can...

OP posts:
liquidclocks · 29/08/2006 19:19

In other words - getting in your way at every moment possible! yes,I have one of those too

BettySpaghetti · 29/08/2006 19:42

After my knee op I debated rigging up a skateboard on a piece of rope attached to me (like a trailer!) to drag things like my dinner from the kitchen to dining room !

Original poster
Hayls · 29/08/2006 19:46

INteresting, might get dh to rig something up! Actually dd has a barrow with mega blocks in the garden, that might do. Will go and ask dh to rescue it and empty all the rain out..

I am desperately hoping I can stop using them soon but it happened yesterday morning and I still can't weight bear at all on that leg. I've been referred to the fracture clinic but have no idea how long that could take...
Everything is just taking sooo long to do. Making dinner took 3 times as long as usual and it was only macaroni cheese but I kept having to hop across the room to get things (avoiding the laundry and noodles of course). If it doesn't improve by Thursday I will be in so much trouble as dh won't be back until MOnday

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page