Crutch height that is improper can cause pain in which areas?

• A. Armpit
• B. Wrist
• C. Back
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Improper crutch height disrupts how your body distributes weight and maintains alignment. If the crutches are too tall, you end up pressing weight into the armpits, which can squeeze tissues and nerves in that area and cause armpit pain, and it often pulls the shoulders up, contributing to neck and upper back tension. If the crutches are too short, you tend to lean forward and bend your wrists to grip, loading the wrists and hands more and promoting awkward posture that can lead to wrist pain and back discomfort from compensatory movement. Because either misfit changes can stress the armpit, wrists, and back, pain can involve all of these areas. The best setup is elbows slightly flexed (about 20–30 degrees) with weight borne through the hands on the handles, not through the armpits, and with posture kept upright.