Crutches are the most prescribed ambulatory assistive device and are used for mobility and maintaining weight-bearing restrictions after injury or surgery. However, standard axillary crutches (SACs) can lead to overuse and other injuries and restrict upper limb movement. Hands-free crutches (HFC) do not restrict upper limb movement but their effect on balance control, with or without commonly prescribed walking boots, is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of crutch type (SACs vs. HFC) and boot use on whole-body angular momentum (RAM), a measure of balance control. Participant's balance confidence, pain, comfort, and device preference were assessed. Seventeen participants were evaluated while walking without a crutch (NONE), with SACs, and with an HFC, and walked with and without a walking boot in each crutch condition. The gait pattern used with SACs resulted in significantly greater limb angular velocity (p < .05), and an 84% increase in RAM (p < .001) as compared to the HFC. There were no differences between the SAC and HFC for balance confidence, pain, or comfort, however most (71.1%) participants preferred the HFCs. These results suggest that individuals can better control angular momentum with the HFCs and thus may be less susceptible to loss of balance.

Keywords: Gait analysis; orthopedic equipment; postural balance.