'american' style crutches???

so...i broke a bone in my toe/the top part of my foot yesterday.  i'm told it can take 6 weeks to fully recover and that i will need to be on crutches for a short while.  the crutches that the hospital sent me home with are the ones with the rings that wrap around your forearms and i am REALLY struggling with them.  i can't balance very well with them, they hurt my hands and arms, and they slow me down much more than i expected.

i've only ever used crutches in the US before and they were the kind that come up to your shoulders so that more of your weight is held up under your arms--do these kind exist here, and if so, does anyone have any clue where i can purchase them?  i am faced with a 40 minute walk to work (each way!) come tuesday, and there is no way i can make that walk on the crutches i have now.  

Contact your local DIAL. http://www.dialuk.info/

They should have an idea of where to hire / purchase / how to access crutches. Don't know if the type you are looking for is available in the UK or not.

You could also contact the Patient and Advice Liaison Service (PALS) as another option for advice.

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/

Best wishes.

After some quick googling- it looks like they're call Axilla Crutches- I've got a few website links where you can buy them, but not anywhere local?  
http://www.clearwellmobility.co.uk/product_body.aspx?SectID=4
http://www0.uk.shopping.com/-underarm+crutches

Apparently the elbow crutches (kind you have now) are what they most exclusively use, as they help you move around quicker and are better for you.  The underarm ones apparently damage the brachial plexus nerve (which helps control your arms, hands, etc).  But that's only from some googling and not any real experience.

Ouch, hope your foot feels better soon!!

We did crutches at my old work place, but we never had the US style ones.  The UK ones were "better".   

The story here apparently is that the under-shoulder style crutches doesn't promote proper health and safety as patients tend to lean their bodyweight under their arms and then develop pressure sores, whereas the forearm crutches force the patient to use their own balance and upper-body strength.

All I can say is when I broke my knee in '98 I had under-arm crutches and know I wouldn't have lasted 30 seconds on anything else.



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What about an air cast/boot thingy? Perhaps together with the other crutches it might make it easier since you can put weight on both feet?

I think they are harder to adapt to.  

There are issues with the US style crutches causing nerve damage.  

I suppose the idea is that if you are using the crutches for a broken ankle, then your arm would not be affected and you should have enough strength to use them properly.



*Modified to remove offensive comments*  

I modified the thread to remove any offensive comments and comments alluding to the offensive comments.

The OP just wants to know where she could get these crutches and it looks like she's received some good info! 

Did you know you can buy these 'american' style crutches on ebay or amazon?



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LIGHTWEIGHT-ALUMINIUM-UNDERARM-CRUTCH-ADULT-CRUTCHES_W0QQitemZ400105816408QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Health_Beauty_Mobility_Disability_Medical_ET?hash=item5d282a4158

http://www.activemobility.co.uk/shop/folding-crutches-with-carry-bag-p-1800.html

They can be a bit expensive to buy. I have seen people who these type crutches here in UK.

thank you for the suggestions, everyone!

i have managed to work from home for now, so hopefully i can sort out the crutches by the time i have to make my way back into the office.  dealing with 3 flights of stairs will be...interesting!