crutch
Sign in to savealt=|thumb|Underarm (axillary) crutches used to keep weight off the injured leg. alt=Man using forearm crutches|thumb|A man using forearm crutches A crutch is a mobility aid that transfers weight from the legs to the upper body. It is often used by people who cannot use their legs to support their weight, for reasons ranging from short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities.
Article
17 sectionsContents
- History
- Types
- Underarm or axillary
- Forearm
- Platform
- Leg support
- Types of gaits
- One crutch
- Four-point gait
- Two-point gait
- Three-point gait
- Swing-to gait
- Stairs
- Alternative devices
- Materials
- See also
- References
alt=|thumb|Underarm (axillary) crutches used to keep weight off the injured leg. alt=Man using forearm crutches|thumb|A man using forearm crutches A crutch is a mobility aid that transfers weight from the legs to the upper body. It is often used by people who cannot use their legs to support their weight, for reasons ranging from short-term injuries to lifelong disabilities.
==History== Crutches were used in ancient Egypt. In 1917, Emile Schlick patented the first commercially produced crutch; the design consisted of a walking stick with an upper arm support. Later, A.R. Lofstrand Jr. developed the first crutches with a height-adjustable feature. Over time, the design of crutches has not changed much, and the classic design continues to be the most commonly used.