Adjustable Crutches: Complete Sizing and Fitting Guide

When Marcus came home from knee surgery, his discharge nurse handed him a pair of crutches and told him to "make sure they fit." Three days later, he was back in the ER — not for his knee, but for numbness in his hands and severe underarm bruising from crutches that were a full three inches too tall. Getting crutch sizing right isn't optional. An improperly fitted crutch transfers weight to the wrong places, causing axillary nerve damage, wrist strain, and instability that leads to falls.

At AllCare Store, we carry a full range of adjustable crutches and mobility aids to help you recover safely. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about crutch selection, sizing, and safe use.

Types of Adjustable Crutches

Underarm (Axillary) Crutches

The most common type, these extend from the floor to just below your underarm. Despite the name, underarm crutches should never bear weight in the armpit — the padded top rests against the ribcage, about 1–2 inches below the armpit, while your hands on the grip bars carry your weight. Underarm crutches are best for short-term use (post-surgery, fracture recovery) and are typically the most affordable option at $20–$60 per pair.

Forearm (Lofstrand) Crutches

Also called Canadian crutches or elbow crutches, forearm crutches have a cuff that wraps around your forearm just below the elbow, with a handgrip below. Weight is borne through the handgrip, with the forearm cuff providing stability and preventing the crutch from falling when you open your hand. Forearm crutches are preferred for long-term use and by people with permanent mobility limitations — they allow freer hand use, are lighter, and cause less upper-body fatigue. Price range: $40–$150 per pair.

Platform Crutches

For users who cannot grip a standard crutch handle due to arthritis, weakness, or upper extremity injuries, platform (forearm trough) crutches provide a horizontal padded platform that the forearm rests on. Weight is distributed across the forearm rather than concentrated in the hand. These are specialty items typically recommended by occupational therapists.

How to Size Underarm Crutches

Proper fitting takes less than five minutes and prevents the most common crutch injuries. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Set Overall Height

Stand upright wearing your normal shoes. The top pad of the crutch should sit 1.5 to 2 inches (3–4 finger widths) below your armpit. This gap is critical — it ensures your body weight travels through your arms and hands to the grip, not through the armpit into the brachial plexus nerves.

If you cannot stand, use this formula: measure your height in inches and subtract 16. The result is your approximate crutch length in inches. For example, if you are 5'8" (68 inches tall): 68 − 16 = 52 inches. Most adjustable crutches are set in this range.

Step 2: Set Handgrip Height

Stand with your arms relaxed at your sides. The handgrip should align with the crease of your wrist (where your hand meets your forearm). When you hold the grip, your elbow should have a slight bend of 15 to 30 degrees — not straight, not significantly bent. This position maximizes weight-bearing capacity while protecting the elbow joint.

Step 3: Check Your Posture

Standing with crutches in position:

• Your shoulders should be relaxed and level — not hunched or elevated
• The crutch tips should be positioned about 6 inches in front of and 6 inches to the side of each foot
• Your back should be straight — crutches that are too short cause hunching
• You should be able to support your full body weight through the grips comfortably

Common Sizing Mistakes

Mistake	What Happens	Fix
Crutch top in armpit	Axillary nerve damage, numbness in arm/hand	Maintain 1.5–2" gap; weight on grips only
Crutches too tall	Shoulder shrugging, axillary pressure, nerve damage	Lower the overall height
Crutches too short	Back pain, hunched posture, instability	Raise until 1.5–2" gap below armpit
Handgrip too high	Elbow over-flexion, shoulder strain	Lower grip to wrist crease level
Handgrip too low	Elbow hyperextension, wrist pain	Raise grip to wrist crease level
Tips worn or missing	Slipping, falls	Replace rubber tips every 3–6 months

How to Size Forearm Crutches

For forearm crutches, overall height is set so that the handgrip aligns with your wrist crease — the same as underarm crutches. The forearm cuff should sit 1–1.5 inches below your elbow when your arm is bent at the grip. The cuff opening should face to the side (not directly forward) so you can release your hand without the crutch falling.

Gait Patterns: How to Walk with Crutches

Non-Weight-Bearing (NWB)

Your injured leg cannot touch the ground. Move both crutches forward together, swing your body through using your arms, then hop forward on your good leg. This is the most common post-surgical gait for knee, ankle, and foot procedures.

Partial Weight-Bearing (PWB)

Your doctor specifies a percentage of weight (often 25–50%) you can place on the injured leg. Move both crutches forward with your injured leg, place gentle weight as prescribed, then step through with the good leg.

Touch-Down Weight-Bearing (TDWB)

The injured foot can touch the ground for balance only — no significant weight. Similar to NWB movement but with light toe touch for stability.

Two-Point Gait

Move one crutch and the opposite foot forward together, then the other crutch and opposite foot. This mimics a natural walking pattern and is used when both legs can bear weight. It is faster but requires more coordination.

Stairs, Curbs, and Uneven Surfaces

Going Up Stairs

Remember: "Good goes up first." Step up with your good leg first, then bring the crutches and injured leg up to the same step. Use the handrail whenever available — hold both crutches in the hand away from the rail.

Going Down Stairs

"Bad goes down first." Lower the crutches and injured leg down to the next step first, then step down with your good leg. Take one step at a time.

Curbs

Treat a curb like a single stair step. Going up: good leg first, then crutches and injured leg. Going down: crutches and injured leg first, then good leg.

Wet and Slippery Surfaces

Crutch rubber tips lose traction on wet floors, ice, and polished tile. Take very short steps, keep your weight centered, and proceed slowly. Consider ice-tip attachments for winter use. Avoid crutching through puddles if possible.

Crutch Accessories and Upgrades

Several accessories can make crutch use more comfortable and safer:

• Padded underarm pads: Gel or memory foam covers for the axillary pad reduce pressure and friction. Particularly useful for extended use.
• Padded handgrip covers: Reduce hand fatigue and blistering during extended use. Essential for anyone using crutches for more than a few days.
• Crutch tips: Standard rubber tips should be replaced every 3–6 months or when worn smooth. Wide-base tips and ice-spike attachments are available for specific conditions.
• Crutch bag/pouch: Attaches to the crutch frame to carry a phone, water bottle, or other essentials, keeping both hands on the grips.
• Crutch stand: A free-standing holder keeps crutches upright and accessible when seated, preventing the falls that occur when leaning crutches against furniture.

When to Transition Off Crutches

Always follow your physician's or physical therapist's guidance on when to wean off crutches — do not reduce crutch use based on how you feel alone. Bone healing is not always painful, and premature full weight-bearing can disrupt healing tissue. Typical timelines vary widely by injury and procedure: simple ankle sprains may require 1–2 weeks; fractures and surgical repairs typically require 6–12 weeks of restricted weight-bearing.

When transitioning off crutches, many patients progress to a single cane (held on the strong side) for an intermediate period before walking unassisted. Browse our crutches and canes collection for options at every stage of recovery.

Shop Crutches and Mobility Aids at AllCare Store

AllCare Store carries adjustable underarm crutches, forearm crutches, platform crutches, replacement tips, padding kits, and accessories from trusted brands. We also carry canes, walkers and rollators, and a full range of post-surgical recovery aids.

Shop Crutches & Canes at AllCare Store. Free shipping on every order. Questions? Call us at 1-888-889-6260.