Hands sore because of crutches

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all I am two weeks and 5 days post op, so far doing good been sleeping all night, can get in and out of bed my self, doing more exercise, walking more and doing two steps each day. My hands have been killing me because of my crutches I am drying to come off them as my hand are sore and it's unreal.

Any advice?

Thanks

Megan. ☺️

2

Hi Megan,

Congratulations ! Sounds like you are doing great.

Have you tried to pad the crutch handles?

Lorrena

3

Hi Megn,

I am in the US so I think thing are different here, I spent two nights in the hospital and came home. we don't use crutches here we use walkers and I am full weight bearing. I probbly do 200-300 steps a day inide the house. Doing all my exercises and physical theraphy came yesterday. my nightmare is getting in and out of bed and that is wt hmy husband helping no way could i do it by myself.  Praying yu get to go home sonn.  xxoxoxo 

4

Hi lorrena

Thank-you☺️. Yeah I bought some they cost me 20pound they still don't work and it's getting to me.

Thanks

Megan

X

5

Hi Annette

Yeah I am in the uk it's different, when I was in hospital I had a walker for 1 day then moved me on to crutches. I try I do at lest 300 steps or more a day. I have only had one session of PT so far. I hope you get in and out of your bad your self soon it took me at week and a half to do it my self. I am already home I was in for 5 days as I have other health conditions as I have avascular nercrosis in both hips and other things, I got on a Friday but then sadly ended back up in hospital on the monday😞. I am home now and hopefully staying home.

Thank-you

Megan xx

6

Try thinking about how you are walking. Bad leg heel first and roll through to your toes and squeeze buttocks at the same time. It really does help if the walk becomes natural then not so much pressure elsewhere. 2nd time round for me. Day 4 after the op and I had forgotten how exhausting this is. Let me know how you get on.

7

Hi Annette,

Try taking your crutch turning it upside down, putting your surgical leg foot in top loop and pulling your straight leg around to get into and out of bed. Also works great to get in shower tub from sitting position. I'm not quite 2 weeks post surgery and have also found if your squeeze a pillow between your legs you can move both your legs as a unit quite effectively with almost no pain

8

Thanks Jennifer,

I don't ave crutches but PT told my husband about the pillow between the legs when moving them for me.  I find if I dont sit up while it is being done or move my butt it hurts my pelvis area. thnk you for the advice!

9

Hi Megan is it possible that you are gripping the handles too tightly and/or leaning on them too much?

I ask the question because I found myself doing both of those things and the result was really sore hands, especially the hand on my 'good' side.

The solution that worked for me was to ditch one crutch and to slow down so that I didn't lean so heavily on the single crutch.

Don't forget to clench those buttocks and suck in your tummy - this will help your balance. 

Good luck with your recovery and remember it takes patience to recover.

10

Hi Megan, get yourself some trekking poles. Much better than crutches as you don't lean heavily on them. If you prefer to keep your crutches, my husband put some foam pipe lagging (cut to fit) around the handles & then used duck tape to keep it secure x

11

My Son bought me some fingerless cycling gloves with a padded palm they were £4 from Tiger and work really well, my hands were sore too. you can also get the gloves on line but I dont know if they will be as cheap

12

I had shoulder problems with sticks/canes - I switched to hiking poles at the advice ofmy physio.

A totally different hand position and much easier on the hand and shoulder.

Avalable online, I got the cheapest pair at my local hiking store, but best to get them with built-in shock absorbers.

Graham

 

13

Is it possible that they are too short and making you lean forward too much?

For my first hip, I was unaware of crutch lengths and my physio extended mine for me as they were too short

This might account for your putting too much pressure on your hands.

14

Is it possible that they are too short and making you lean forward too much?

For my first hip, I was unaware of crutch lengths and my physio extended mine for me as they were too short

This might account for your putting too much pressure on your hands.

15

Hi Megan! I was having that problem too. Not to mention my shoulders! I'm using the walker. But my left hand was trying to get a blister so I started wearing my workout glove! It really did the trick! Only thing is taking it off to go to bathroom. And o seem to be going to the bathroom a lot!! Hope this helps! Take care and wishing the best! Hugs, 🤗🤗 Linda

16

I am 17 days post op and I don't use my crutches around the hous except for the stairs. I can now lift my operated leg in and out of bed with no problems. I can honestly say things will get better as you go along. I am in the UK and only had pt in hospital. My surgeon told me I would be off both crutches in six weeks

17

In Canada we start with walkers as well.   They are easy to handle and you can still focus on standing tall.  My surgeon had me switch to a cane on the opposite side on day 10. Within another week I was walking on my own.   Very interesting hearing about all the  different protocols.   This worked well.  I'm walking very well and part 2 is next week!   I  did try crutches before the first surgery just in case I was not able to put weight on it.  I was really glad I didn't have to  use them. 

18

My dr in the US told me use a walker for 10-14 days then  cane. Here I am at day 4 I think/hope i will be ready.  good luck to all!

19

Hi Megan

I can understand how you are feeling. Because I have OAin my hands I had the same problem. I transferred to a walking stick but found I was bending over more. Putting too much pressure onyourhands causes this problem. I found I was walking around with the furniture in the house. I didn't do a lot of walking outside because of my foot problems. At the supermarket I pushed the trolley.

You seem to have plenty of advice from other forum uses. I wish you 

U.K. with your recovery and let us know how you get on.

Best wishes Brenda C

20

Hi there. I will try that thank-you. I'll try that today and see how it goes. Thank-you again. Hope your well.

Megan x