To avoid blisters, try to avoid putting too much weight on the armpit rests.
When first relying on crutches, a person with an injured leg may not be familiar with the methods that make life on crutches easier. Crutches may seem self-explanatory, but they are full of small secrets. From the troubles of the armpit rest to the worries of moving up stairs, a myriad of crutch-related distresses await you.
Move Slowly
When you first get your crutches, take your time getting accustomed to them. Take a slow pace when moving. If you become cocky, you may end up falling and making your injury worse. Moving on crutches requires different muscle groups than you are used to using, so you may find yourself easily tired. If so, take a short rest and catch your breath. Be especially careful on uneven surfaces.
Armpits
Although crutches are designed to allow the user to rest on the armpits, putting too much weight on the crutches in this way may cause blisters and other discomfort. To avoid this, try putting more force on the lower part of the crutches where you rest your hands. Not only will you alleviate armpit pain and avoid rashes and blisters, but you will strengthen your arms. If you find it hard not to put pressure on the armpit rest, remove the rubber pads on the armpit rest. This will deter you from habitually relying on the armpit rest.
Long Distances
If you need to move over a long distance on your crutches, you may want to lengthen your crutches to cover more space. In addition, if you know you will sweat, especially in the hands, consider wearing gloves to prevent slipping.
Stairs
When going up or down stairs, there is a movement order you should follow. First, check if there is a handrail. If there is, put both crutches under the arm on your good side and use the handrail with your other hand. Next, follow the standard stairs movement for crutches. This is first moving your crutch, then moving your bad leg and finally moving your good leg. Repeat this process until you get all the way up or all the way down.
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