Crutches – As Seen on Forbes, Inc, & CNN – Adjustable, Ergonomic Handles, Comfortable & Easy to Use - By BWHealth

I have a bad hip that for a variety of reasons has not been replaced with an artificial hip. Back in the late summer of 2018, a nurse who saw me walking unsteadily with two canes suggested that I would have more stability with forearm crutches. When I looked for them on Amazon, I saw these too, but they were about $100 more than the forearms that were available at the time and I decided not to spend the extra money.After just a week on the more traditional forearm crutches, my hands were black and blue, somewhat painful all the time and really quite painful whenever I used the crutches. I ordered these and fortunately they arrived the very next day. Because of the pain in my hands and wrist, I was unable to do the little bit of assembly required but fortunately my son was able to help.These quickly relieved my pain because when used as the manufacturer shows, you get a good third of your weight of the hands and wrists and onto the elbow. With somewhat long arms, I'm able hold them in such a way as to actually get most of my weight onto the elbow when necessary.I see that in other reviews, some people complain about the pad on top, which fits under the shoulder and helps keep the crutch in place/where you want it...It should not be in your arm pit and isn't meant to bear any weight. That pad helped make the crutches very easy for me to use.Now, after nearly 3 years, I just got on Amazon to try to order a second pair, since one of the spring loaded "buttons" that made adjusting the height of each crutch very easy, finally broke off from all the weight I put on my left crutch. I also had to replace the rubber cup on the bottom of the same crutch about a month ago.Although I would prefer that the maker would sell replacement parts, I've come to depend on my so much that I'm very disappointed to learn that they are no longer available. It would be worth it to me to buy a new pair every couple of years. Pre-Covid, when I'd be out shopping, their unusual shape would often garner the interest of folks who saw me. They often also elicited positive comments on their cheery two-toned blue color..

After foot surgery, I found these crutches very difficult for me to use. However, I'm a senior citizen and maybe not having enough upper body strength was a factor. I had a difficult time after foot surgery and didn't get around to even attempting to return the crutches which I only used once. It turned out I waited too long to make a return so ended up donating them.

I really wanted to like these crutches. I watched multiple "how to" videos to make sure that I knew how to use them properly. They were horribly uncomfortable and difficult to use. There is a hard plastic piece that rubs the inside of your arm (closest to your body), and if you don't have SIGNIFICANT upper body strength, they are impossible to walk with. Not to mention, the blue on the arms is unsightly bright.

Walking with crutches commonly produces overuse injuries of the wrist and hand and less frequently the elbow and shoulder. The Better Walk crutches attempt to spread weigh bearing over the chest wall and forearm, as well as the usual shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. They are successful but with some trade offs.With axillary or elbow crutches, I usually put my crutch tips about 4-6 inches outside my feet when they are shoulder width apart. That can lead to tripping if I walk within 4-6 inches of anything fixed to the ground. The Better Walk crutch recommends placing tips 8-15 inches outside your feet when they are shoulder width apart. That tip placement tilts the crutch slightly inward at the top and allows the upper pad to comfortably grip the chest wall during weight bearing. It also keeps the upper pad support from digging into the inside of the arm. That adds 4-22 inches to the width of the path one needs to walk freely and makes tripping more likely until that is fixed in the mind.As other reviewers have noted this crutch is significantly heavier than either axillary or forearm tubular steel models.Proper adjustment of the Better Walk crutches is left to the purchaser. I found no detailed instructions in the packing box or online at their site or in related YouTube videos. A User Manual is included with each crutch but only shows a profile drawing that labels the parts.Although I am 5 ft. 10” I was the most comfortable with the lower height setting 2 holes above the bottom hole (at what should be the 6 ft. 2” height if they really go to 6 ft 4” at the bottom hole, as they claim.) At that setting I could rest some of my weight on my forearm without bending at the waist with the crutch tips right next to my foot. I was then able to put the upper adjustment at the lowest setting to avoid pressure on my underarms. If you are taller than 6’2” and have shorter than normal arms these may not be usable. A more accurate claim would be that you may be able to use them if you are 6’3” or taller.I will keep these for the days that I have hand and wrist pain leftover from the day before but they won’t replace my forearm crutches. I would like to see the forearm support made so that the length could be adjusted. If I could lengthen mine an inch it would be better. For short term use, axillary crutches can be learned quickly but may injure the nerves in the underarm. For long term use, the majority of crutch users prefer forearm crutches. They are more agile and avoid underarm irritation and injuries but are slightly less stable.