Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
A crutch grip is the handle you hold to carry your weight through your hands. Where it sits on the crutch, and how your elbow bends when you hold it, are set by the crutch manufacturer’s instructions and by the clinician who fitted the crutch. This page summarises what three manufacturer or care-provider instruction documents and one clinical reference state about grip position, adjustment and care, and shows where they differ.
What crutch grips are
The grip (also called the handgrip or handle) is the part of the crutch that your hand wraps around. In the U.S., a crutch is a Class I medical device under 21 CFR 890.3150, defined as a device intended for medical purposes for use by disabled persons to provide minimal to moderate weight support while walking. For the whole crutch, see what crutches are.
Grip types by crutch design
The grip is built into the crutch frame, so its type follows the crutch design. The instruction documents cited here describe two designs.
| Crutch design | What the grip is | What the source says about adjusting it |
|---|---|---|
| Underarm (axillary) crutch | A handgrip on the frame below the underarm support | The handgrip is adjusted separately from leg height; the ProCare patient instructions refer to an approximate 10 degree bend at the elbow and list tight handgrip nuts in their safety check (Enovis). |
| Forearm (elbow) crutch, single adjustable | A handle with a forearm cuff above it | Only the handgrip-to-floor distance is adjustable (UniCare Health). |
| Forearm (elbow) crutch, double adjustable | A handle with a forearm cuff above it | Both the cuff-to-handgrip distance and the handgrip-to-floor distance are adjustable (UniCare Health). |
Where the sources place the grip
The documents agree that grip height is set on its own and that the user’s wrist and elbow are the reference points. They differ on the elbow angle, so the figure that applies is the one in the manual for the crutch and the one the treating clinician gives.
| Source | Crutch | Stated target |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Red Cross, forearm crutch instructions | Forearm | Grip height at the crease of the wrist with the arm extended; elbow bent approximately 30 degrees when holding the grips. |
| UniCare Health, elbow crutches instruction and safety manual | Forearm | General guidance unless a physiotherapist instructs otherwise: handgrip at wrist height. |
| Enovis ProCare patient instructions | Underarm | Approximate 10 degree bend at the elbow. |
| Merck Manual Professional, fitting underarm crutches | Underarm | Elbow bends 15 to 30 degrees. |
Grip height is one part of the fit. Overall crutch length is a separate adjustment; see crutch sizes. The Red Cross document also states that both crutches are to be adjusted to an equal height and that its spring buttons must be fully engaged in the adjustment holes before use.
Care and inspection
- Cleaning: the Red Cross document says to clean the hand grips with a mild soap, detergent or household cleaner. UniCare Health recommends regular cleaning with a mild detergent or disinfectant and says not to use bleach or solvents.
- Inspection: UniCare Health’s checklist covers bent or damaged tubes, cracks at tube joints, missing buttons on spring clips or loose or worn horseshoe clips, elongated adjustment holes, loose handles, and smooth, worn or split rubber tips (ferrules), with replacement where necessary. Enovis lists tight handgrip nuts and firmly seated push buttons in its safety check.
- Pads and tips are separate parts; see crutch pads.
Points the manufacturers flag
- Spring buttons that are not fully engaged in their adjustment holes (Red Cross warning).
- The two crutches set to different heights (Red Cross).
- Bleach or solvents as cleaning agents (UniCare Health).
- Loose handles or handgrip nuts that are not tight (UniCare Health, Enovis).
FAQ
What is the difference between a crutch grip and a crutch pad?
The grip is the handle held in the hand; pads and tips are separate parts. See crutch pads.
What is the difference between single and double adjustable forearm crutches?
On single adjustable crutches only the handgrip-to-floor distance is adjusted; on double adjustable crutches the cuff-to-handgrip distance is adjusted as well (UniCare Health).
Do all manufacturers give the same grip position?
No. The sources state about 10 degrees of elbow bend (Enovis), 15 to 30 degrees (Merck Manual Professional) and about 30 degrees (Red Cross, forearm crutches). The crutch’s own instructions and the treating clinician apply.
What do the manuals say about cleaning crutch grips?
A mild soap, detergent or household cleaner (Red Cross), or a mild detergent or disinfectant with no bleach or solvents (UniCare Health).
See also the crutches, canes and ankle braces guide.
Sources
Sources checked 2026-10-30.
- Canadian Red Cross, Instructions for care and use of forearm crutches: https://cdn.redcross.ca/prodmedia/crc/documents/How-We-Help/Community-Health-Services-in-Canada/Instructions-for-care-and-use-of-forearm-crutches.PDF
- UniCare Health, Elbow Crutches Instruction and Safety Manual: https://cdn.unicarehealth.com.au/cordocs/Instruction%20and%20Safety%20Manuals/Patient%20Care/Section%206/6130-6131-6160-6161_Instruction-and-Safety-Maual_Lo-Res.pdf
- Enovis (DJO) ProCare Adjustable Anodized Aluminum Crutches, patient instructions: https://enovis.com/sites/default/files/Adjustable%20Anodized%20Aluminum%20Crutch%20Patient%20Application.pdf
- Merck Manual Professional Edition, Fitting underarm crutches: https://merckmanuals.com/professional/multimedia/image/fitting-underarm-crutches
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR 890.3150, Crutch: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/890.3150
