Crutches
Crutches provide support to the body while moving from one place to another if the legs are injured or unable to support a person’s weight. Though sticks have been used for support for thousands of years, today crutches are a medical tool designed scientifically and prescribed by doctors.
Different materials are used for manufacturing crutches depending on the condition and budget of the patient - wood, steel, aluminum, titanium, composite material like carbon fiber. Some of the different types of medical crutches are:
1. Forearm crutches - used for persons suffering from permanent disabilities, and used by slipping the arm into a cuff
2. Underarm crutches - prescribed for patients suffering from a temporary disability or injury, also known as auxiliary crutches, as they provide additional support.
3. Knee support - for patients with a injury or disability below the knee
4. Platform - used by patients with poor hand grip due to arthritis and similar ailments.