Recovering from an injury is hard enough without every step leaving your hands and wrists aching. Yet this is exactly what many people experience after just a few days of using crutches. While it's tempting to blame the crutches themselves, the real issue is often how they're fitted or used.
Hand and wrist pain from crutches is usually preventable. Small adjustments to your posture, grip, and walking technique can make a noticeable difference, helping you move more comfortably while protecting your joints and nerves. If you're relying on crutches after surgery, a fracture, or another lower limb injury, understanding these common mistakes can save you weeks of unnecessary discomfort.
Why Do My Hands Hurt When Using Crutches?
With underarm crutches, your hands absorb much of the force needed to support your body while walking. Every step transfers pressure through your palms, wrists, and forearms. If that force isn't distributed properly, soreness can develop quickly.
Several factors may contribute to hand and wrist pain from crutches, including:
Crutches adjusted to the wrong height
Handgrips positioned incorrectly
Gripping the handles too tightly
Poor walking technique
Worn or hard handgrips
Long periods of continuous crutch use without breaks
A little muscle fatigue during the first few days can be expected. Persistent pain, tingling, or numbness is not and usually points to an issue that needs correcting.
The Most Common Mistakes People Make
1. Your Crutches Are the Wrong Height
One of the biggest reasons people develop wrist pain is incorrect crutch adjustment.
If the crutches are too high, your shoulders stay raised, placing extra strain on your wrists and upper body. If they're too low, you'll lean forward, forcing your hands to support more weight than necessary.
A properly fitted underarm crutch should leave a small gap, around 2 to 5 cm, between the top of the crutch and your armpit while standing upright in supportive shoes. The handgrips should allow your elbows to remain slightly bent, usually around 20 to 30 degrees.
If you're unsure whether your crutches fit correctly, ask your physiotherapist, doctor, or mobility specialist to check the adjustment.
2. Putting Your Weight Through Your Armpits
Many first-time users instinctively lean on the top of the crutches.
This isn't how underarm crutches are designed to work.
Your body weight should be supported through your hands, while the padded top simply helps keep the crutches in position beside your body. Constant pressure under the armpits can compress nerves and blood vessels, sometimes leading to a condition known as crutch palsy.
If you notice weakness, numbness, or difficulty lifting your wrist or fingers, seek medical advice promptly.
3. Holding the Handles Too Tightly
When you're worried about slipping, it's natural to squeeze the handgrips as tightly as possible.
Unfortunately, this creates another problem.
A constant "death grip" increases tension through the fingers, palms, wrists, and forearm muscles. Over time, this repetitive strain may contribute to soreness and fatigue.
Instead, maintain a firm but relaxed grip, tightening only when necessary for stability.
4. Poor Walking Technique
Using crutches isn't as simple as hopping forward.
Many people rush, take uneven steps, or place the crutches too far ahead of their body. This creates sudden impact through the wrists with every movement.
For Most Non-weight-bearing Injuries, The Usual Sequence is:
Move both crutches forward together.
Swing or step with the injured leg as instructed.
Bring the uninjured leg through.
Following the walking pattern recommended by your healthcare professional helps distribute forces more evenly and reduces unnecessary strain.
Can Crutches Cause Nerve Pain in Your Hands?
Yes. Although less common than muscle soreness, prolonged pressure can irritate nerves in the hands and wrists.
The median nerve, which passes through the wrist, may become irritated when excessive pressure is placed on the palm. This can lead to tingling, burning, or numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
Pressure affecting the ulnar nerve may cause numbness in the ring and little fingers or reduce grip strength. Nerve symptoms should never be ignored. If they continue after adjusting your crutches or become progressively worse, arrange a medical assessment.
How Do I Stop Wrist Pain While Walking With Crutches?
A few practical changes often provide significant relief.
Check that your crutches are correctly adjusted.
Keep your shoulders relaxed while walking.
Avoid locking your elbows.
Hold the grips firmly but not excessively tight.
Take regular rest breaks during longer walks.
Replace worn rubber grips if they have become hard or uneven.
Perform gentle wrist and finger stretches if approved by your healthcare provider.
If you'll be using crutches for several weeks, ergonomic accessories and quality aids for walking may also improve comfort and reduce pressure on your hands.
What Is the Correct Way to Use Crutches Without Hurting Your Wrists?
Good technique protects more than your wrists. It also improves balance, confidence, and recovery.
Keep your head up instead of looking down at your feet. Stay close to the crutches rather than stretching them too far ahead. Let your arms guide your movement while keeping your shoulders relaxed. Small, controlled steps are usually safer than trying to move too quickly.
Many people also benefit from reviewing their technique after the first week of recovery. Small posture changes can have a surprisingly big impact on comfort.
If your recovery is expected to be lengthy, speak with your healthcare provider about whether alternative aids for walking may better suit your condition and mobility goals.
When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Some discomfort is common when learning to use crutches. However, seek professional advice if you experience:
Persistent numbness or tingling
Weakness in your hand or fingers
Increasing wrist pain despite correcting your technique
Swelling, skin breakdown, or bruising
Difficulty gripping everyday objects
Early assessment can help prevent a minor issue from becoming a longer-term problem.
Final Thoughts
Crutches are designed to help you heal, not create new sources of pain. In many cases, hand and wrist pain from crutches comes down to avoidable mistakes such as poor fitting, incorrect posture, or excessive pressure on the hands.
Taking a few minutes to check your technique, adjust your crutches correctly, and use supportive mobility products can make every step more comfortable. If pain persists or nerve symptoms develop, don't ignore them. Getting professional advice early can support a safer and smoother recovery.
Also Read:- Why Hip and Pelvic Pain Increase During Late Pregnancy
Disclaimer
The information provided in this Bodyassist blog is intended for general informational purposes only. We do not offer medical advice under any circumstances. A medical professional must be consulted for any advice, diagnosis, or treatment of health-related issues. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. The author will not be held responsible for any misuse of this information. No guarantees are made either expressed or implied. If you need clarification on any information presented here, please seek medical advice before using any suggested product.
FAQs
Q. Why do my hands hurt when using crutches?
Ans:- Incorrect crutch height, excessive grip pressure, poor walking technique, or prolonged use commonly cause hand pain.
Q. How do I stop wrist pain while walking with crutches?
Ans:- Ensure your crutches are correctly adjusted, use proper walking technique, relax your grip, and take regular breaks.
Q. Are my crutches adjusted to the wrong height?
Ans:- If your shoulders feel raised, you're leaning forward, or your elbows are fully straight or overly bent, your crutches may need adjustment.
Q. Can crutches cause nerve pain in my hands?
Ans:- Yes. Prolonged pressure can irritate the median or ulnar nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness. Persistent symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Q. What is the correct way to use crutches without hurting my wrists?
Ans:- Support your weight through the handgrips, avoid leaning on your armpits, maintain a slight bend in your elbows, and follow the walking technique recommended by your healthcare provider.