Preference between crutches and walker?

[eyesofblue612]

Upcoming LR in 2 days.  Got my new crutches today and was told to practice a while.  I can barely hold my own weight.  I have previous back problems that required surgery and am a larger gal.  Just curious to know if anyone out there that may have been a bigger person used a walker rather than crutches and if you felt more stable in doing so.

[stgiles16]

I tried the walker after my first surgery and I personally didnt care for it. I tend to take long steps and I kept hitting my leg on the front of the walker. I was more stable and able to move around better on my crutches. I was heavier with my first surgery but have since lost a bit of weight.
good luck
missy

[lb573]

Hi! When i went to have my LR i forgot my crutches at home(blonde moment or something, not sure?!), so after the op when i had to go to the bathroom they had me use a walker to get there, and it was a horrible experience. I made it about 5 steps and then just had my mom be a crutch and held on to the wall with the other side and sort of shuffled the rest of the way. I got home and my crutches were a wonderful sight! I couldn't have made it without my crutches, never again will i use a walker! But everybody will likely have different opinions, mine is crutches all the way. I wish you the best of luck with everything,
Leah

[blackbeltgirl]

I'm a pretty big girl, and I've had no trouble with crutches.  I've tried a walker at the hospital once or twice, but never liked it.  Granted, part of that was the age factor.  My great aunt used a walker when I was a little girl, and my grandmother... I associate them with old people, not me.  (Of course, I associate bad knees with anyone but me too, but that doesn't change reality).  That said - you may need to do more research.  Will you be completely NWB?  toe touch?  partial?  I think it's difficult to be NWB with a walker.  You may also just need the crutches adjusted, and lessons in using them properly.  They should actually land a couple of inches below your armpits.  And your body weight is not supposed to go on the armpits, but on your hands.  Lots of good questions, but your OS and maybe a physical therapist (for fitting and training) are probably your best answers.

[Lizzie - UK]

When I was in hospital last year after my knee gave way and my back went into spasm - the physios gave me a walker.  I was okay with it, but experienced after a while numbness in my hands.  My OS told me that this was due to the walker.  Apparently I was leaning on the walker and it was affecting the nerves in my palms.

I've always been better using crutches.  It just takes practice and little steps at first.

Good luck
Lizzie

[Teresa_S]

I,too, preferred the crutches, but never was told to use them after LR, was , in fact, told like all other patients by this OS, I could immediately return to my normal activities, school, work, whatever, and no words to not weight bear as usual. Teresa

[JenSinclair]

I used my stepmother's stepmother's (does that make her my step-step-grandmother?) walker the first day and a half because I had complete nerve blocks...and was released from hospital without being cleared for safety by PT.  That's a long story...but now I'm a champ on the crutches.  I'll tell you, though...get some padded grip covers whichever you choose.  That cuts down on the pain in the hands.

Peace,
Jen