Crutch Life Hacks: 15 Clever Solutions to Everyday Problems

The Problem: You can't carry grocery bags, purses, or shopping bags while using both hands for crutches.

The Solution: Clip large carabiners (rock climbing clips) to your crutch handles. You can hang multiple lightweight bags from each carabiner without affecting your grip.

What you need:

• 2-4 large carabiners (look for 3-inch gate opening)
• Reusable shopping bags with handles work best

Pro tips:

• Use locking carabiners so bags don't accidentally fall off
• Distribute weight evenly between both crutches
• Maximum 5-7 pounds per crutch to maintain stability
• Best for: grocery shopping, carrying lunch to work, transporting items around the house

The Problem: Carrying drinks is nearly impossible without spilling everywhere.

The Solution: Use a travel mug with a handle that clips to your carabiner, or invest in a CamelBak-style hydration backpack with a drinking tube.

Best options:

• Budget option: Contigo travel mug with handle loop ($15) - hangs from carabiner
• Premium option: Hydration backpack with drinking tube ($25-40) - hands completely free
• DIY option: Attach lanyard to water bottle and hang around neck

Pro tips:

• Get a leak-proof, spill-proof lid (trust us on this)
• Fill cups only 3/4 full to prevent sloshing
• Cold drinks work better than hot coffee (less burn risk if you fall)

The Problem: You can't use your phone while crutching, and you can't answer calls without stopping and balancing.

The Solution: Attach a bike phone holder or universal phone mount to your crutch handle. Your phone stays visible and accessible.

What you need:

• Bike phone mount with handlebar attachment (search "bike phone holder" on Amazon)
• Universal phone grip mount with clamp
• Optional: Bluetooth headset for hands-free calls

Pro tips:

• Mount on non-dominant hand crutch so you can operate with free hand
• Use screen protector (you'll drop your phone a few times, guaranteed)
• Perfect for: navigation while crutching, listening to music, taking calls
• Set brightness high outdoors—glare makes it hard to see

The Problem: Standing showers are exhausting, dangerous, and nearly impossible while keeping weight off an injured leg.

The Solution: Install a shower chair plus a handheld showerhead. This combo is life-changing for anyone on crutches for more than a week.

What you need:

• Shower chair: Look for height-adjustable, non-slip rubber feet ($30-50)
• Handheld showerhead: Easy install, no tools required ($20-40)
• Bath mat with suction cups for extra safety

Setup:

1. Unscrew your existing showerhead
2. Attach handheld shower adapter (comes with most models)
3. Place shower chair in tub/shower
4. Done! No plumber needed

The Problem: You can't carry a regular backpack while using crutches. Your shoulders are already exhausted from the crutch work.

The Solution: Use a rolling backpack (the kind kids use for school) or a rolling laptop bag. Pull it behind you as you crutch.

Best options:

• For work: Rolling laptop bag with telescoping handle
• For school: Rolling backpack with wide wheels (easier on rough terrain)
• For shopping: Folding rolling cart that fits in car trunk

Pro tips:

• Get one with smooth-rolling wheels—cheap wheels get stuck on everything
• Look for lightweight design (empty bag should be under 5 pounds)
• Works great on: smooth floors, sidewalks, offices, schools
• Doesn't work well on: stairs, gravel, grass, snow

The Problem: Fumbling for keys in your pocket while balancing on crutches is a recipe for disaster.

The Solution: Attach your keys, ID badge, and access cards to a retractable lanyard badge holder. Clip it to your belt loop or wear around your neck.

Why this works:

• Keys are always accessible, just pull and unlock
• No digging in pockets while balancing on one leg
• Retractable cord means keys snap back to your waist
• Perfect for house keys, car keys, and office access cards

Pro tip: Get a heavy-duty retractable reel. The cheap ones break after a week. Look for metal clips, not plastic.

The Problem: Cooking requires carrying ingredients, pots, and plates, all impossible tasks on crutches.

The Solution: Set up a mobile prep station using a rolling cart or bar cart. Roll everything from fridge to stove to table.

Setup:

• Buy a 3-tier rolling kitchen cart ($25-40 at Target/IKEA)
• Keep it stocked with: plates, utensils, napkins, salt/pepper
• Use top tier for prep, middle for ingredients, bottom for dirty dishes
• Roll from fridge → counter → stove → table

Additional tips:

• Keep a small cutting board on the cart at all times
• Use lightweight pots and pans (cast iron is too heavy to carry safely)
• Sit on a tall stool while cooking instead of standing
• Meal prep on weekends so you have grab-and-go options

The Problem: You need to move small items around the house (phone, remote, snacks) but your hands are on crutches.

The Solution: Wear a carpenter's apron or gardening apron with multiple deep pockets. Suddenly you're a mobile storage unit!

What works best:

• Carpenter's apron: Multiple pockets, heavy-duty fabric
• Craft apron: Lightweight with large front pockets
• Utility belt: Like a tool belt but for phone, snacks, and remotes

Great for carrying:

• Phone, wallet, keys
• TV remote, reading glasses
• Snacks, protein bars, medications
• Tissues, hand sanitizer

Pro tip: Choose one with adjustable waist straps so it doesn't bounce around while you crutch.

The Problem: Putting on socks when you can't bend down or put weight on one leg is nearly impossible.

The Solution: Use a sock aid device (also called a sock slider). It's a curved plastic tool that lets you put socks on without bending.

How it works:

1. Slide sock onto the plastic curved tool
2. Lower tool to floor using attached cords
3. Slide your foot into the sock opening
4. Pull cords to slide sock onto your foot

Where to buy: Amazon, CVS, Walgreens (search "sock aid" or "sock helper")

Also helps with: Putting on compression socks, TED hose, or any tight-fitting socks/stockings

The Problem: Anything you drop on the floor is basically gone forever (or until someone else picks it up).

The Solution: Keep a long-handled reacher grabber in every room. It's like having 4-foot-long arms.

What to buy:

• Look for 32-inch length minimum (longer = less bending)
• Rotating head is essential for picking up odd-shaped items
• Magnet tip helps pick up metal objects (keys, coins)
• Ergonomic trigger handle (you'll use this 50+ times per day)

Uses beyond picking up dropped items:

• Turning light switches on/off from bed
• Reaching items on high shelves
• Pulling blankets onto bed
• Picking up laundry without bending
• Closing/opening doors or cabinets

Pro tip: Buy 2 or 3 grabbers and keep one in each high-traffic area like your bedroom, living room, and kitchen. You'll use them constantly.

The Problem: Moving multiple items between rooms (laundry, toys, work supplies) requires multiple trips.

The Solution: Use a lightweight plastic storage tote that you can push or slide across the floor with your foot or pull with a rope.

How to set it up:

1. Buy a lightweight plastic tote with smooth bottom (no ridges)
2. Drill two small holes in the front edge
3. Thread a rope through holes and tie knots
4. Sling rope over shoulder or hang from carabiner
5. Pull tote behind you as you crutch

Works great for:

• Transporting laundry from bedroom to washing machine
• Moving kids' toys from room to room
• Carrying work supplies from car to home office
• Organizing items for easy access

Pro tip: Use on hardwood, tile, or smooth carpet. Doesn't work well on thick carpet or rugs (too much friction).

The Problem: You're spending way more time in bed or on the couch, and you need a stable surface for laptop, meals, and activities.

The Solution: Invest in a quality adjustable bed tray table with folding legs. This becomes your mobile workspace.

Features to look for:

• Adjustable height: Works for sitting in bed or on couch
• Tilting surface: Angle for laptop ergonomics
• Cup holder: Prevents spills (learned this the hard way)
• Drawer or slot: For phone, remote, snacks
• Sturdy legs: Cheap ones wobble and tip over

Uses beyond eating:

• Laptop workstation for remote work
• Reading nook setup
• Arts & crafts surface
• Board games/puzzles station

The Problem: Jeans, belts, and button-fly pants are nearly impossible to manage while balancing on one leg.

The Solution: Switch to elastic-waist pants for the duration of your crutch time. Yes, even to work (there are professional options!).

Best clothing choices while on crutches:

• Pants: Joggers, sweatpants, yoga pants, elastic-waist dress pants
• Shorts: Athletic shorts with drawstring (avoid button fly)
• Shirts: Pull-over styles (forget buttoning shirts)
• Dresses/Skirts: Elastic waist, loose fit (tight = hard to put on)
• Shoes: Slip-on shoes ONLY (laces are your enemy)

For work or professional settings:

• Dress pants with elastic waistband (Betabrand and Lululemon make professional styles)
• Maxi dresses or skirts (comfortable and professional)
• Cardigans instead of blazers (easier to get on and off)

Pro tip: If you wear dress pants, get 1 or 2 sizes larger than normal to accommodate your injured leg's boot, cast, or swelling.

The Problem: Your current home layout requires too many steps and awkward movements on crutches.

The Solution: Temporarily rearrange your furniture to create clear "crutching highways" and minimize distance between key areas.

Key changes to make:

Living Room:

• Move coffee table away from couch (prevents tripping)
• Create 3-foot-wide pathways (crutches need space)
• Position remote controls, chargers within arm's reach of couch
• Move rugs that bunch up or slide around

Bedroom:

• Move bed against wall so you can lean crutches securely
• Place nightstand within reach (water, phone, medications)
• Keep pathway to bathroom completely clear
• Position reacher grabber next to bed

Bathroom:

• Remove bath mats that slip
• Install suction-cup shower shelf for toiletries at seated height
• Keep towel within reach of shower chair

Kitchen:

• Move frequently-used items to counter height (no reaching high/low)
• Keep plates, glasses, utensils in one easy-access cabinet
• Position trash can where you can reach without bending

The Problem: You constantly need access to phone, wallet, keys, and snacks, but pockets aren't enough.

The Solution: Buy a crutch bag (or repurpose a bike handlebar bag) that attaches directly to your crutch.

Options:

• Official crutch bags: Search "crutch caddy" or "crutch bag" on Amazon ($15-20)
• DIY option: Bike handlebar bag with Velcro straps ($12-18)
• Budget option: Small crossbody bag worn across chest

What to keep in your crutch bag:

• Phone + charger cable + portable battery
• Wallet, ID, insurance card
• Pain medication (ibuprofen, prescription meds)
• Protein bars / granola bars (you'll get hungry mid-crutch)
• Hand sanitizer + tissues
• Small water bottle (if using carabiner system)

Pro tips:

• Attach bag to non-dominant hand crutch
• Keep bag weight under 2 pounds (too heavy = crutch tips over)
• Choose bag with zipper (prevents items falling out)