10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Using Crutches

It was 3 AM on a Tuesday when I stepped wrong getting out of bed, heard the snap, and knew my life was about to change. Fast forward through the ER visit, surgery, and discharge paperwork, and there I was - standing on one leg in my living room, staring at a pair of crutches like they were alien technology.

Nobody prepared me for what the next 8 weeks would be like. Not the doctor, not the physical therapist who gave me a 30-second tutorial, and definitely not the discharge nurse who handed me the crutches with a cheerful "You'll figure it out!"

Well, I did figure it out. But it took weeks of pain, frustration, and some embarrassing moments I'd rather forget. This article is my gift to you - everything I learned the hard way, so you don't have to.

Lesson #1: The Hospital Crutches Are Terrible (Get Better Ones ASAP)

1Day 1 revelation: Those standard-issue aluminum crutches from the hospital? They're basically medieval torture devices disguised as medical equipment.

Within 24 hours, I had blisters on my palms, my armpits were raw (more on that later), and my hands ached so badly I couldn't hold a coffee cup. I thought this was just "part of the process" until a friend who'd been on crutches before laughed and said, "Did you get padded grips yet?"

What I did wrong: I assumed the hospital gave me everything I needed. Wrong.

What I should have done: Ordered these items within the first 48 hours:

• Padded hand grips – Gel or foam padding that wraps around the handles ($15-25)
• Crutch pads for underarms – Though you shouldn't rest on them, they prevent chafing ($10-20)
• Rubber crutch tips with better tread – Hospital tips wear out fast and slip easily ($8-15)
• Crutch bags or pouches – Attach to the crutch to carry phone, keys, water bottle ($12-25)

Lesson #2: You're Probably Using Them Wrong (And Hurting Your Armpits)

2This was my biggest mistake, and it's incredibly common. After three days, my armpits were so sore I couldn't bear to use the crutches. I was ready to just hop everywhere on one leg (which, by the way, is a terrible idea that will leave you exhausted).

Then I watched a YouTube video that changed everything: You're not supposed to lean on your armpits.

"The weight should be on your hands and wrists, not your underarms. The top pads should be 1-2 inches below your armpits when you stand up straight." – Physical Therapy 101

The correct technique:

1. Stand up straight with crutches beside you
2. The top of the crutch should be 1-2 inches (about two finger-widths) below your armpit
3. Your elbows should be slightly bent (about 15-30 degrees) when holding the hand grips
4. When walking, push down on the hand grips - your palms and wrists bear all the weight
5. The underarm pads are just there to keep the crutches steady against your body

Lesson #3: Stairs Are Your Final Boss (Practice at Home First)

3I'll never forget my first public stair encounter. I was at my follow-up appointment, facing a 12-step staircase, with a waiting room full of people watching. I froze. Completely froze. I had no idea how to go up or down stairs with crutches.

A kind elderly woman finally came over and taught me the phrase that saved my life:

"Good leg goes to Heaven, bad leg goes to Hell."
Translation: Good leg goes up first, bad leg goes down first.

Going UP stairs:

1. Position both crutches on the step you're currently on
2. Push down on the crutch handles
3. Step up with your GOOD leg first
4. Bring your injured leg and crutches up to the same step
5. Repeat

Going DOWN stairs:

1. Position both crutches on the step below
2. Lower your INJURED leg down first (keeping weight on crutches)
3. Step down with your good leg
4. Repeat

Lesson #4: You Can't Carry Anything (Backpacks Are Mandatory)

4It took me exactly one meal to realize I couldn't carry a plate of food from the kitchen to the couch. I stood there, holding the plate, staring at my crutches, feeling like an idiot. How do you carry things when both hands are occupied?

Solutions I discovered:

• Backpack – Became my constant companion. I carried everything in it: phone, charger, water bottle, snacks, medications, laptop
• Crossbody bag – For shorter trips when I just needed essentials
• Hoodie with a big kangaroo pocket – Perfect for phone and keys
• Cargo pants – Never thought I'd wear them, but those pockets saved my life
• Crutch bags – Small pouches that attach to the crutch frame (mentioned earlier)

For meals at home: I used a folding TV tray table. Set up everything I needed within arm's reach before sitting down. Trying to crutch while carrying hot coffee? That's a disaster waiting to happen. (I learned that lesson too.)

Lesson #5: Ice and Rain Are Your Mortal Enemies

5My injury happened in early December. Minnesota winter. Ice everywhere. The first time I tried to walk on a slightly icy sidewalk, both crutches slipped out from under me simultaneously, and I went down hard. Thank goodness my injured ankle was in a boot, or I would have re-injured it for sure.

Winter crutching survival tips:

• Ice tips for crutches – Retractable ice spikes that dig into ice ($20-30 per pair). These are ESSENTIAL if you live anywhere cold.
• Stay inside on icy days – Seriously, just don't risk it. Call for delivery, work from home, reschedule appointments.
• Salt your walkway heavily – More than you think you need
• Wear boots with great traction – On your good foot
• Take tiny steps – Speed is your enemy on slippery surfaces

Rain is also terrible because wet crutch tips are incredibly slippery on smooth floors. I fell in a hospital hallway (ironic, right?) because I didn't dry off my crutches after walking through rain.

Lesson #6: Your Hands and Wrists Will Hurt (Here's How to Help)

6Nobody warned me about the hand and wrist pain. By week two, my palms had calluses, my wrists ached constantly, and I developed a weird numbness in my thumbs from gripping too hard.

What helped:

• Padded grips (mentioned before, but worth repeating)
• Wrist exercises – Gentle stretches and rotations several times a day
• Ice your wrists – 15 minutes before bed helped reduce inflammation
• Compression wrist wraps – Provided support during the day
• Proper height adjustment – This is CRITICAL (see next lesson)
• Hand strengthening exercises – Squeeze a stress ball while watching TV
• Take breaks – Sit down more than you think you need to

Lesson #7: Height Adjustment Is Critical (And Most People Get It Wrong)

7The hospital set my crutches to what they thought was the right height. It was wrong. Way wrong. I was hunched over like Quasimodo, which caused back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain on top of everything else.

How to properly adjust crutch height:

1. Stand up straight wearing the shoes you'll usually wear
2. Let your arms hang naturally at your sides
3. The hand grips should be at the level of your wrist crease when your arms are straight down
4. The top of the crutch should be 1-2 inches (two finger-widths) below your armpit
5. Your elbows should have a 15-30 degree bend when holding the hand grips

When I finally got the height right (around day 10), it was like using completely different crutches. The pain in my back and shoulders disappeared almost immediately.

Lesson #8: Sitting and Standing Are Harder Than You Think

8You know what's humiliating? Falling backward into a chair because you forgot how to sit down with crutches. You know what's even more humiliating? Not being able to get back up and having to call for help.

Both happened to me in the first week.

The correct way to sit down:

1. Back up until you feel the chair against your good leg
2. Hold both crutches in one hand (on the side of your injured leg)
3. Use your other hand to feel for the armrest or seat
4. Lower yourself slowly using your good leg and your free hand
5. Once seated, lean the crutches nearby where you can reach them

The correct way to stand up:

1. Move forward to the edge of the chair
2. Hold both crutches in one hand
3. Use your free hand on the armrest or seat to help push up
4. Stand on your good leg first
5. Position your crutches, then start walking

Lesson #9: Prepare Your Home (Seriously, Right Now)

9I wish someone had told me to crutch-proof my house before surgery. The first few days home were a obstacle course of hazards I never noticed before.

Things that became dangerous:

• Rugs – They slip and catch on crutches. I rolled them all up or taped them down securely.
• Pets – My cat nearly killed me three times by weaving between my crutches. Consider keeping pets in a separate area initially.
• Cords and cables – Trip hazards. Tape them down or run them along walls.
• Slippery floors – Wood and tile become ice rinks. Non-slip mats helped.
• Low furniture – Getting up from a low couch is nearly impossible. Stack cushions or use a firm chair.
• Stairs without railings – Install temporary railings if possible.

Things I wish I'd set up beforehand:

• A rolling cart for meals (could push it while hopping or crutching)
• A shower chair (trying to stand on one leg while wet is terrifying)
• Waterproof cast cover (so I could actually shower)
• Bedside caddy with everything I needed within arm's reach
• Clothes that were easy to put on (elastic waists, slip-on shoes)

Lesson #10: Mental Health Matters (This Is Harder Than You Think)

10Nobody talks about this, but being on crutches messed with my head more than I expected.

I felt helpless. I felt like a burden. I felt frustrated that simple tasks took forever. I felt isolated because going anywhere was such an ordeal. By week 4, I was genuinely depressed.

What helped me mentally:

• Setting small goals – "Today I'll make it to the mailbox" instead of dwelling on everything I couldn't do
• Accepting help – I'm terrible at this, but learning to say "yes, please" saved my sanity
• Online communities – Reddit's r/brokenbones and Facebook support groups made me feel less alone
• Celebrating milestones – First day without pain meds, first shower, first day back at work (even from home)
• Staying connected – Video calls with friends, not isolating myself
• Focusing on healing – This is temporary, not forever

"You don't realize how much you take mobility for granted until you can't do it anymore. It's okay to grieve that loss, even if it's temporary."

Bonus Lesson: There's Life After Crutches

I'm writing this from the other side. It's been three months since my injury, and I'm back to walking normally. The crutches are in my garage, and honestly, I hope I never have to use them again.

But if I do - or when someone I know needs them - I'll know exactly what to do. And now, so do you.

The biggest lesson of all? This is temporary. The frustration, the pain, the limitations - they won't last forever. Your body is healing. You're getting stronger every day, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself. And for the love of all that is holy, get padded grips.

Your Turn: What Did You Learn?

If you've been on crutches, what's one thing you wish you'd known from the start? What lessons did you learn the hard way? Share your story in the comments or contact us - your experience could help someone else going through this right now.

And if you're just starting your crutch journey, bookmark this page. Come back to it when you're frustrated or in pain or convinced you'll never be normal again. You will. I promise.

Stay strong, and happy healing. 🩼💪