What is a fitting rule for Lofstrand or forearm crutches?

What is a fitting rule for Lofstrand or forearm crutches?

• A. Forearm cuff should be 4-5 inches below olecranon
• B. Have patient hold crutches 2-3 inches lateral and 4-6 inches anterior
• C. Forearm cuff should be 1-1.5 inches below olecranon
• D. Forearm cuffs should be above the elbow

Answer: (C)

Placing the forearm cuff just below the elbow is the key. The cuff should sit about 1 to 1.5 inches below the olecranon so the forearm sits snugly in the cuff while the elbow can flex comfortably and the hand can reach the grip without rubbing the elbow. This position stabilizes the forearm and allows weight to be transferred through the forearm and hand, not stressing the elbow or axilla, and it keeps the crutch shaft aligned with the forearm for better control. If the cuff is much lower (several inches below the elbow), the forearm isn’t supported adequately and the crutch can feel unstable. If the cuff is above the elbow or right at the olecranon, the forearm isn’t properly supported and the elbow can bear excessive load or the cuff can irritate the surrounding tissues. The other measurement about stance width describes how you use the crutches in gait, not how the cuff should be positioned.

Placing the forearm cuff just below the elbow is the key. The cuff should sit about 1 to 1.5 inches below the olecranon so the forearm sits snugly in the cuff while the elbow can flex comfortably and the hand can reach the grip without rubbing the elbow. This position stabilizes the forearm and allows weight to be transferred through the forearm and hand, not stressing the elbow or axilla, and it keeps the crutch shaft aligned with the forearm for better control.

If the cuff is much lower (several inches below the elbow), the forearm isn’t supported adequately and the crutch can feel unstable. If the cuff is above the elbow or right at the olecranon, the forearm isn’t properly supported and the elbow can bear excessive load or the cuff can irritate the surrounding tissues. The other measurement about stance width describes how you use the crutches in gait, not how the cuff should be positioned.