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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

spd - crutches

18 replies

pinkyp · 30/09/2010 21:07

I've been given crutches to help me be more mobile with spd, but after using them all day tuesday i havent been abl to use them since as my hands/arms feel bruised, is this normal or am i doing something wrong? I sometimes walked normal with them which helped and used them to rest on but my dh said i looked like a 'fake' when i did this so i felt so i was a bit put off doing that. Any advice?

OP posts:

buttonmoon78 · 30/09/2010 21:16

Has your physio not showed you how to use them?

You should definitely walk normally with them, but use them for extra support and to stop you waddling

DO NOT use them as if you have broken your leg - you will place your arms & shoulders under way too much pressure.

I think you should ask your physio for a tutorial. Mine spent a whole 70 min session showing me when I had mine.

twowellies · 30/09/2010 21:31

Hello

I had crutches with first pregnancy. You should be walking 'normally' with them. As normal as you can when everything hurts! Don't put all your weight on your hands as previous post said. Half/elbow crutches are not designed for that.

Perhaps a return trip to physio might help if you're still struggling. Did they not show you how to use them?

I put pipe foam around the handles which really helped or try normal foam wrapped around or even pair of fluffy socks (maybe not for leaving house!)

Use them for helping to get off the sofa and support when climbing stairs.

Once you get the hang of them they'll really help - promise!

buttonmoon78 · 30/09/2010 21:36

Oh, yeah - forgot about the pipe lagging tip! Am at twowellies. I tried so hard to use them on the stairs but failed miserably. And quite dangerously...

Original poster

pinkyp · 30/09/2010 21:37

No she didnt really show me how to use them, she said if i have a particular bad leg then put the crutches forward 1st then the bad leg then the good leg, that was pretty much it. My dh has broken his leg b4 so he has tried to show me but obv its a different technique bcoz i havent got a broken leg!

So am i ok to just walk and lightly rest my bodyon them, i'm a bit paranoid since my dh said i looked a fake.I can walk ok but walking / standin more than 20 mins gives me lots of pain / stabbing pains which is why i got given the crutches as i have ds (3) so it is impossible to rest

OP posts:

twowellies · 30/09/2010 21:53

Sorry that you seem to have a rubbish physio. It makes such a difference to have support from them.

Just walk and have them as support when you get tired and see how you get on.

Are you wearing a support belt?

The stairs thing took a bit of practice with dh having to carry the 'spare' for a while and holding his hands like he was going to catch a ball not a heavily pregnant woman!

buttonmoon78 · 30/09/2010 21:55

Use one crutch to poke him in the nadgers then ask him how fake he thinks he looks...

Walk normally and just lightly rest your body on your arms, that's the best way. How old are your dcs? Mine were 9.5 & 7 when dc3 was born and they learned to do a lot more than they were used to - make their lunch, empty the dishwasher, load the washer, vacuum etc. They were great. Even if yours are much younger they can still learn to pull their weight a bit!

Original poster

pinkyp · 30/09/2010 22:06

I only have 1 ds sorry he's 3 i ment not 3 ds. I've just had another practise and its loads easier to walk normal and lightly rest - which i am now gonna do even if i do look 'fake' i dont care if it helps me! I dont use them all the time at the min,short walking is fine - getting out the car walking 200 yards to nursery and back is manageable its just for longer outings so i can get a pint of milk from the supermarket etc. The stairs arent too bad at the min as i have a banister i cling on to for life or failing that i crawl depending on how i'm feeling. Thank you for your advice i feel lots more confident about using them 'normal' now. My ds helps out alot as he finds everything fun at the min - he'll load the washing machine and empty it into my basket, put dishes in the cuboards, pass/fetch me things he's probabily more helpful than dh lol.

OP posts:

buttonmoon78 · 01/10/2010 14:37

I found out the other day (future planning and all that!) that I would've been eligible for a temporary blue badge for disabled parking from our council. Worth a thought...

destructogirl · 01/10/2010 14:49

I have the same. My physio said the same about the good leg/bad leg thing and I have been putting lost of my weight onto the crutches and my hands.

My hands are killing me!

I discovered at my sister's wedding, after being on the crutches all day that I had lost the ability to use a knife and fork, I couldn't grip them and my hands kept sort of collapsing when I tried.

So I'm trying to not rely on them so much but I worry about looking 'fake' too, especially at work where everyone takes the piss anyway.

They make such a difference to my back/pelvis pain though, can walk around the shops now - couldn't do that before I got the crutches.

buttonmoon78 · 01/10/2010 15:06

Oh, please all of you get a blue badge. Seriously, then you won't feel like a fake. I fully intend to next time!

Please realise that I'm getting cross with you because you are all me 3.5 years ago! And I now wish that I had just accepted it all and got on with it rather than trying to play it down.

A 'friend' asked me how I was at about 34 wks. The short answer was 'shitty' which I deemed inappropriate. So I gave her the long answer. She responded with 'Wish I'd not asked now'. I smiled sweetly and I so wish now that I'd walloped her in the face. Don't be a doormat just because others can't see a reason for your pain.

buttonmoon78 · 01/10/2010 15:08

Perhaps walloped in the face is a little strong! But I never told anyone how it made me feel and I think that was a mistake.

BTW, by not using your crutches you're limiting the help they give you. Don't be embarrassed, please.

destructogirl · 01/10/2010 17:28

Would love a temporary blue badge!
How would I go about it, do I ask my midwife? Or the physio?

Original poster

pinkyp · 02/10/2010 17:36

my council dont do tempary ones no more since aug 2010 :(

OP posts:

nymphadora · 02/10/2010 17:48

My council haven't done temporary badges for years. :(

I'm on crutches and use them probably more than I should, my arms are taking a lot of weight but it's the only way I can get around. I am taking tiny steps left, right then crutches , if that makes sense. I had a 2 min demo but have been left to it. My limit with crutches is about 25 metres now and can't wait for the baby!

herbietea · 02/10/2010 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

buttonmoon78 · 02/10/2010 23:15

Round here you go straight to the council.

I can't believe that physios are handing out medical equipment without proper instructions!

Herbietea - I guess things might be different for you with a long term problem?

destructogirl · 06/10/2010 10:08

I emailed my council, they replied:
'The criteria is set by the department of transport and the council is obliged to strictly follow this criteria.
We will issue a badge for three years to persons not automatically eligible if they are unable to walk, or have considerable difficulty in walking because of a permanent and substantial disability.'

So I think that was a no
Worth a try though, I have seriously kicked myself if I'd found out afterwards that I could have got one.

buttonmoon78 · 06/10/2010 12:15

Shame they're lying to you. Indeed the guidelines are set by the DoT. Did you spot the special word though? Guidelines. They are indeed meant to follow guidelines over criteria BUT they can ensure that they are offered on a temporary basis as this forms no part of the guidelines AFAIK.

If you feel strongly I suggest you drop an email to your councillor and MP. Even if it goes no further it will make you feel a bit better!

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