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 pad is the padded top of an underarm (axillary) crutch. It is the part that rests against the side of the chest, so how it is set and kept matters for comfort and safety. This guide is for clinic staff, people who stock or buy crutches, and students who need a clear reference. Its facts come from the U.S. FDA’s crutch classification, two manufacturers’ instruction manuals and a hospital patient-education page, all listed under Sources.
What is a crutch pad?
Crutch pad usually means the underarm pad at the top of an underarm crutch. The FDA defines a crutch as “a device intended for medical purposes for use by disabled persons to provide minimal to moderate weight support while walking” and classifies it as Class I (general controls) under 21 CFR 890.3150. The pad is one part of that device, along with the handgrip and the rubber tip. For the whole device, see what crutches are and how the types differ.
Who uses it: people who use underarm crutches, and the clinicians, therapists and supply staff who fit, dispense and maintain them. The McKesson instructions say to use the crutches after proper training under the direction of a doctor or physical therapist.
How is a crutch built around the pad?
The two manuals describe the same three contact points, each with a different job. The table compares what each manual says about each part.
| Part | What the manuals say |
|---|---|
| Underarm pad | Should be pressed against the chest wall, not high under the armpits (Evadale Healthcare manual). The user should be able to lean forward comfortably while resting on the underarm supports, without standing uncomfortably erect (McKesson instructions). |
| Handgrip | Carries the load: “Always carry your full weight on your hands, not your underarm, keeping your wrists straight” (Evadale). Grip height is set for a given elbow bend, described as 10 degrees in the McKesson instructions and approximately 20 to 30 degrees in the Evadale manual. |
| Rubber tip | Check regularly. Evadale says to replace tips immediately if there are rips, tears, cracks or other wear; McKesson says to replace crutch tips if worn. |
The two elbow-bend figures differ because they come from different models. Use the figure in the manual that came with the crutch.
How is the pad’s height set?
Pad height is the main pad adjustment, and the manuals handle it differently. The Evadale manual has the user stand as straight as possible, preferably in everyday shoes, with arms about 15 centimetres out from the side; someone then measures from 5 cm below the armpit to the ground, and that height is used to set the underarm pad. The McKesson Quick Adjust model instead uses height ranges, shown below.
| Patient height (McKesson Quick Adjust, universal size) | Underarm adjustment tube set in |
|---|---|
| 4 ft 6 in to 5 ft 2 in | First (lowest from ground) set of inside adjustment holes |
| 5 ft 3 in to 5 ft 10 in | Second (middle) set |
| 5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 6 in | Third (highest from ground) set |
The same McKesson instructions list a weight capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg) and state the product is not made with natural rubber latex. These values apply to that model only.
How do I replace or source a crutch pad?
Neither manual gives a pad-replacement schedule or a pad-wear limit, so this page does not either. What they do state:
- Replacement parts come through the manufacturer or an authorised dealer. Evadale refers users to their authorised dealer or the company for a list of available spare parts, and McKesson lists a technical support line for replacement parts.
- If the crutches are damaged in any way, stop using them and contact the authorised dealer or manufacturer (Evadale).
- Both crutches should be adjusted to an equal height (Evadale).
Safe use and handling basics
- Watch for cords, water or oil on the floor, rugs and other obstacles (Evadale). McKesson adds extra caution on wet and slippery surfaces.
- Position the crutches slightly to the side and forward for a stable base, with head and posture upright (Evadale).
- To clean, Evadale advises wiping the frame and handgrips with a mild soap and warm water solution, rinsing well and drying thoroughly, and avoiding harsh, abrasive cleaners or solvents, which may damage aluminium and rubber parts.
- Check that locking buttons are engaged and screws are tight before use (Evadale); McKesson’s safety check asks that both push-buttons are firmly in place and the handgrips secure.
What are common mistakes with crutch pads?
- Bearing weight on the underarm instead of the hands (the Evadale manual states weight goes through the hands).
- Letting the pad ride high under the armpit rather than against the chest wall.
- Adjusting one crutch and not the other.
- Letting the armpit rest on the pad. UMass Memorial Health’s crutch-fitting page says this can cause tingling, numbness and loss of muscle strength in the arm, and that 2 to 3 fingers should fit between the armpit and the top of the pad.
- Checking the pad but not the tip. Both manuals call out tip wear.
- Starting to use crutches without training from a doctor or physical therapist (McKesson caution).
Frequently asked questions
Where should a crutch pad sit?
Against the side of the chest wall, not high under the armpit (Evadale manual). UMass Memorial Health says 2 to 3 fingers should fit between the armpit and the top of the pad.
Should body weight rest on the crutch pad?
No. The Evadale manual says to carry your full weight on your hands, not your underarm, with wrists straight. UMass Memorial Health says not to let the armpits rest on the pads.
How is crutch pad height set?
It depends on the model. Evadale measures from 5 cm below the armpit to the ground; McKesson Quick Adjust uses patient-height ranges. Follow the manual that came with the crutch.
How do I clean crutches?
Evadale advises wiping the frame and handgrips with mild soap and warm water, rinsing well and drying thoroughly, and avoiding harsh, abrasive cleaners or solvents.
Where do replacement parts come from?
Both manuals point to the manufacturer or an authorised dealer. Neither gives a pad-replacement schedule.
Is a crutch pad regulated separately by the FDA?
21 CFR 890.3150 classifies the crutch as a Class I device and does not mention pads separately.
Related guides
For canes and walkers see what a cane is and what a walker is. Clinic stocking is covered in the mobility aid guide for crutches, canes and ankle braces and the broader lab equipment hub.
Sources
- U.S. FDA classification: 21 CFR 890.3150, Crutch (checked 2026-10-30).
- McKesson Medical-Surgical, Quick Adjust Aluminum Crutches instructions, MFR 146-RTL10433, May 2021: instructions for use (PDF) (checked 2026-10-30).
- Evadale Healthcare Pty Ltd (Unicare Health), Underarm Crutches Instruction and Safety Manual (PDF) (checked 2026-10-30).
- UMass Memorial Health, Fitting Your Crutches (checked 2026-10-30).
