What Are Crutches? A Plain-Language Guide

Last verified: October 6, 2026. Crutches are a pair of hand-held supports, used under the arms or on the forearms, that let a person move around while keeping weight off one leg or foot, or while a leg is too weak to carry them alone. They are one of the most familiar mobility aids, seen after sprains, fractures, and surgery, and also used long term by people with lasting mobility impairments. This guide explains what crutches are, who uses them, the main types, how they differ from walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, and what procurement and research-administration readers should know.

What Are Crutches?

A crutch is a rigid support, usually made of aluminum or another lightweight material, with a rubber tip at the bottom, a handgrip in the middle, and a contact point at the top. When a person uses crutches, they move the crutches forward, then swing or step the body through, using the arms and shoulders to carry a share of the body’s weight that the legs would otherwise take. A pair is used together in most cases; sometimes a single crutch is used if a person needs support on one side only.

Crutches are adjustable. The overall height and the handgrip position can be changed so that the device suits the user’s height and arm length. A well-fitted pair keeps the user upright and the arms in a comfortable position, while a poorly fitted pair can cause pain, nerve irritation, or unsafe movement.

Why They Exist: The Problem Crutches Solve

When an injury, surgery, or condition means a leg cannot bear full weight, a person still has to move around. Staying completely off the leg limits independence, and trying to walk on it can slow healing or cause further injury. Crutches solve this by moving the load from the affected leg to the arms and upper body. They let a person stay mobile, keep their hands partly free in many situations, and follow a clinician’s instructions about how much weight they may put on the leg.

They also offer a lightweight, portable, relatively inexpensive option compared with other mobility equipment. A pair can be carried, stored in a car, and used on stairs or in tight spaces where a bulkier device cannot go.

Who Uses Crutches

• People with short-term injuries — ankle sprains, foot or leg fractures, and soft tissue injuries are among the most common reasons.
• Post-surgical patients — people recovering from procedures on the foot, ankle, knee, or hip, where they are told to limit weight on the leg for a period.
• People with long-term mobility impairments — for example, some people with spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, limb loss, or other conditions use forearm crutches daily.
• Athletes and active people — who are often given crutches after an injury and may be trained in how to use them to return to activity safely.
• Emergency, orthopedic, and physical therapy clinics — staff fit and teach patients to use crutches, and many clinics keep stock to hand out.
• Children — pediatric sizes exist, and children may use crutches during recovery or with an ongoing condition.

Types of Crutches

• Underarm (axillary) crutches — the most familiar type. A padded top rests against the side of the chest below the armpit, while the hand grips the handle. They are common for short-term use and are relatively quick to learn, though it matters that the weight is carried through the hands and arms rather than pressing into the armpit, because pressure there can irritate nerves.
• Forearm (Lofstrand or elbow) crutches — a handgrip with a cuff that wraps around the forearm. They leave the hands free to open a door or hold an item for a moment, because the cuff keeps the crutch attached to the arm. They are common for long-term users and offer good maneuverability, although they generally require more arm strength and balance.
• Platform (gutter) crutches — a padded trough supports the forearm and the weight is carried through the forearm rather than the hand. They are used by people whose hands, wrists, or elbows cannot bear load.
• Leg-support alternatives — knee scooters, which are not crutches but are an alternative for some foot and ankle injuries, support the lower leg on a padded platform while the user pushes with the other foot.

Crutch tips, grips, and underarm pads are replaceable parts. Some crutches are adjustable in several places, while others come in fixed sizes.

How Crutches Differ from Related Equipment

• Crutches vs. cane — a cane supports a person on one side and shares a relatively small amount of weight. Crutches carry much more weight and can allow a person to avoid putting weight on a leg completely.
• Crutches vs. walker — a walker is a four-legged frame that gives a broad base of support and suits people who can bear some weight on both legs; crutches are used when a person needs to take weight off one or both legs. Crutches are also more compact and more suitable for stairs, while a walker is generally more stable on level ground.
• Crutches vs. wheelchair — crutches help a person walk; a wheelchair carries someone who cannot walk, or cannot walk far. Some people use crutches for short distances and a wheelchair for longer ones.
• Crutches vs. brace or boot — a brace or walking boot protects or immobilizes an injured area; crutches reduce weight and balance demands. The two are often used together after an ankle or foot injury.

Practical Relevance for Research Administration and Procurement

• Stock for clinics. Many clinics hand out or loan crutches, and urgent care, orthopedic, sports medicine, and rehabilitation settings typically hold a range of sizes. Supply checklists, such as those for a physical therapy clinic and a sports medicine clinic, usually list crutches among the items to keep on hand.
• Related products. Crutches are normally bought alongside canes, braces, and boots, and the crutches, canes, and ankle braces buying guide covers how those products compare.
• Fitting and teaching. A pair of crutches handed over without fitting or instruction can be unsafe. Facilities typically have a policy for who fits and teaches patients, which is a training and staffing issue as well as a supply one.
• Injury assessment context. Crutches often follow an injury assessment. For instance, decision tools such as the Ottawa Ankle Rules help clinicians decide whether imaging is needed after an ankle injury, and crutches may be part of the care that follows.
• Single-patient vs. reusable. Some organizations give crutches to patients to keep, while others loan them and expect them back. Loan programs need tracking, cleaning, and replacement of worn tips and grips.
• Wear. Rubber tips wear down and can lose grip, and wet or smooth floors make that worse. Replacement tips are inexpensive but should be part of the supply plan.
• Research use. Studies that involve participants with mobility limitations may need to record whether crutches or other aids are used, and sites should confirm access for participants who use them.

The Short Version

Crutches are paired hand-held supports that move weight from the legs to the arms, so that someone can get around while a leg is injured, healing, or weak. Underarm crutches are the familiar short-term type; forearm crutches are common for long-term use; platform crutches serve people who cannot bear load through the hands. They differ from canes, walkers, and wheelchairs in how much weight they carry and in what the user can do with them. Proper fit and instruction matter for safe use, and for institutions the main questions are stock, fitting, cleaning, and replacement parts.

This page offers general information only. It is not clinical or safety training. Always follow your clinician’s advice, your institution’s procedures, and the manufacturer’s instructions for any specific crutches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are crutches used for?

Crutches are used to move around while keeping weight off a leg or foot, or when a leg is too weak to carry the body on its own. They are common after injuries and surgery, and some people use them long term.

What is the difference between underarm and forearm crutches?

Underarm crutches rest against the side of the chest and are common for short-term use. Forearm crutches have a cuff around the forearm and a handgrip, and are common for long-term use because they leave the hands more free and are easier to maneuver, though they usually need more arm strength.

Should the weight rest on the armpit?

No. With underarm crutches, the weight is meant to be carried through the hands and arms, with the pad resting lightly against the chest. Pressure in the armpit can irritate nerves, which is one reason correct fitting and instruction matter.

Are crutches the same as a cane or walker?

No. A cane gives light support on one side. A walker is a frame that gives a wide base of support. Crutches carry more weight than a cane and can allow a person to avoid putting weight on a leg entirely, and they are used in pairs in most cases.

How are crutches sized?

Crutches are adjustable in height, and the handgrips are adjustable as well. A clinician or trained supplier normally sets them for the user so that the person stands upright and the arms are in a comfortable position. Sizes vary between adult and pediatric models.

When should crutch parts be replaced?

The rubber tips, grips, and pads wear with use and should be replaced when they are worn, cracked, or slippery. A crutch that is bent, cracked, or loose should not be used until it is repaired or replaced.