Experimental characterization of axillary/underarm interface pressure in swing-through crutch walking
James Borrelli, PhD; Henry W. Haslach Jr, PhD
Supporting weight on the upper support of a
crutch is not recommended. However, for individuals
with particularly weak upper limbs, doing so may
be the only option for upright ambulation as opposed
to wheelchair use. This study investigated changes
in the underarm forces caused by the use of two different
types of axillary supports, the traditional one
on axillary crutches and a horizontal one on the Easy
Strutter Functional Orthotic System. The eight subjects
in this study exhibited reduced underarm forces
and perceived greater comfort and stability when
using the Easy Strutter Functional Orthosis System
while supporting weight through the underarm. A
horizontal axillary support may be beneficial to individuals
who find crutch walking, with proper technique,
to be too tiring.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.01.0013
Volume 50 Number 3, 2013
Pages 423 — 436
View HTML ¦ View PDF ¦ Contents Vol. 50, No. 3
This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows:
Borrelli J, Haslach HW Jr. Experimental characterization of axillary/underarm interface pressure in swing-through crutch walking. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(3):423–36.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.01.0013
Borrelli J, Haslach HW Jr. Experimental characterization of axillary/underarm interface pressure in swing-through crutch walking. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(3):423–36.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.01.0013
ResearcherID/ORCID: James Borrelli, PhD: C-7690-2011
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