5 Best Forearm Crutches for Long Term Use (Reviews)

Are you looking for the best forearm crutches to help you regain mobility after an accident or leg injury?

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Then you’re probably overwhelmed by all the available walking aids on the market.

Fortunately, we’re here to review the five most comfortable crutches to narrow your choice.

Top Forearm Crutches at a Glance

• The Lightweight Walking Forearm Crutches by Drive Medical – Vinyl hand grips and ergonomic handles
• Ergobaum 7G  Forearm Crutches by Ergoactives – Comfortable crutch pads
• ORTONYX Forearm Crutches – Lightweight design
• Medline Aluminum Forearm Crutches – Silent operation
• The KMINA Forearm Crutches

What to Consider When Buying Forearm Crutches?

Now that you’ve seen our top 5 best forearm crutches, let’s discuss what features to look for when buying them.

Material

The best forearm crutches should be made of durable material to ensure that they don’t snap or bend when you put your weight against them.

In general, forearm crutches are made from aluminum because it’s affordable, weather-resistant and can withstand a lot of weight without bending.

However, some crutches are made of steel, steel-reinforced aluminum, or carbon for maximum durability and weight-carrying capacity.

Carbon fiber crutches are one of the lightest and have a great maximum user weight capacity. The con is carbon crutches are expensive.

Wood is rarely used for forearm crutches because it requires more maintenance than standard aluminum crutches. But you can still find wooden canes or wood underarm crutches.

Crutch Weight

A heavy crutch is difficult to swing around all day long. No matter how much energy you have, you are going to tire in a couple of minutes.

You want light crutches so that you can hold them tightly and lift them with minimal upper body strength.

Moreover, lightweight forearm crutches are easier to transport if you have to travel. Even better, you can fold some portable crutches for storage and transportation.

Weight Bearing Capacity

When purchasing a crutch, always check the maximum user weight holding capacity. You want to ensure that the crutches can hold your weight without breaking.

In general, most forearm crutches have a weight-bearing capacity of around 250 – 300 pounds. However, bariatric forearm crutches can have a weight-holding capacity of up to 600 pounds.

Size

A crutch’s proper size is essential for maintaining balance and preventing secondary injuries.

Fortunately, most forearm crutches have adjustable features to ensure that you can customize them to your liking.

The best forearm crutches allow you to adjust the height in 1-inch increments with a pin or push-button adjustment.

Handles and Cuffs

Handles and cuffs might not seem important. But if they’re made of hard plastic with no extra padding, your hands and forearms will get sore and bruised in no time.

That’s why forearm crutch padding and comfy grips are such an important feature for conventional crutch users.

Look for contoured grips and ergonomic handle design to ensure that you have a strong grip on the handles to prevent accidents. Consider wrist braces if you have joint pain or weak hands.

Safety

You’ll likely have to use your crutches on outdoor surfaces, such as gravel, cement, or concrete. To ensure that you don’t slip and fall, you want crutches with non-skid rubber tips.

Moreover, it’s easy to scratch indoor surfaces, such as floors, when walking with crutches. If that’s a concern, choose a pair of crutches with a non-skid, non-marking rubber tip.

Extra Features

If you’re going to use forearm crutches for a prolonged period of time, you might want some extra features, such as:

• washable hand grips
• anti-noise tips for silent movement
• shock absorbers with springs
• LED light
• protection against premature wear

Are Forearm Crutches Better Than Regular Crutches? 

Forearm crutches have several benefits over axilla crutches. But which type of crutch is better depends on your specific needs and body strength. 

The main benefit of elbow crutches is that they don’t restrict your movements and allow you to control your body better. You can walk on uneven surfaces, climb stairs, and remain active. 

Forearm crutches also distribute weight evenly and don’t put too much pressure on the body’s sides or shoulders. You can use them for an extended period of time with little discomfort. 

Moreover, forearm crutches promote better posture because they force you to stand tall and straight. You can’t slouch or drag yourself when walking, common with underarm crutches.

It’s also hard to pick the wrong size of forearm crutches since you will be unable to balance yourself properly. But you can use ill-fitted underarm crutches without knowing. 

Axillary crutches also put great strain on your shoulders and underarms, leading to wrist pain/soreness. They require a lot of energy to move around. 

Moreover, there’s a risk of nerve damage with axillary crutches and crutch palsy because the constant pressure can compress the nerves.

The main con of forearm crutches is that they require even more upper body strength and energy expenditure than regular crutches.

They also take users more time to get used to walking and are inconvenient if you have to use your hands when walking.  

How to Use Forearm Crutches

Before you start using forearm crutches, you should adjust the crutches’ height accordingly.

Flex your elbow and ensure that your wrist and hips are at a 30-degree angle. Then measure the height from the largest part of your forearm to the ground.
Finally, adjust the height. Specialists say that “the height of the horizontal handle should be level with your wrists.”

When you’ve made the adjustments, it’s time to learn how to use a forearm crutch:

• Ensure the proper positioning of the arm cuff. It should be one to two inches below your elbow.
• Then grip the handles and place the crutches’ tips one step ahead at an equal distance. 
• Step forward with your uninjured leg, put your weight on the crutches and swing your body forward.
• Maintain balance and try to walk as naturally as possible while allowing the crutch to take the pressure from your injured foot.  

If you have trouble walking with forearm crutches, you should speak to your physician or orthopedic surgeon. Incorrect usage can slow your recovery and walking speed.

5 Best Comfortable Forearm Crutches

Walking canes and underarm crutches are the most popular mobility devices for injury recovery, but they aren’t your only option.

As you’ll discover, forearm crutches can improve your quality of life, make it easy to stay mobile without risking a secondary injury, and ensure a speedy recovery.

Forearm crutches also reduce pressure on the wrists, improve body posture, and distribute your weight evenly.

So, let’s see the best forearm crutches that will aid you in your recovery.

1. The Lightweight Walking Forearm Crutches by Drive Medical

If you’re looking for lightweight forearm crutches to recover after muscle injuries and knee surgery, Drive Medical won’t disappoint you.

They’ve got a pair of crutches with impressive ergonomic design, quality, and weight carrying capacity. But let’s take a more detailed look at this crutch.

Main Features

One of the best things about these lightweight forearm crutches is they’re made of steel for optimum stability and durability.

As such, it’s no wonder these best forearm crutches have an astonishing weight capacity of 300 pounds. You can rest your weight on them, and don’t fear they’ll snap in two.

And while you might think that steel would make these crutches heavy and difficult to maneuver, you couldn’t be more wrong. They weigh a couple of pounds and don’t require much upper-body strength to use.

But wait – there’s more.

You can adjust the leg and forearm sections independently until you achieve the optimal sizing for your body type.  More importantly, you don’t need any tools to make the adjustments.

Each crutch also boasts an ergonomically contoured cuff with vinyl coating for maximum stability and comfort. The ergonomic grip also ensures the crutch won’t slip from your fingers.

Drive Medical’s forearm crutches also have extra-large tips for additional safety. Large tips equal more stability, allowing you to maintain balance on any slippery surface.

What’s more, these lightweight crutches are available in three models – adult, bariatric, and tall adult to suit a wide range of users.

Benefits of The Lightweight Walking Forearm Crutches by Drive Medical

Reviewers note that Drive Medical’s lightweight crutches are sturdy yet comfortable and facilitate movement. They also mention the adjustable crutch height suits their needs.

An Amazon reviewer describes these forearm canes as “the best appliance I’ve used yet,” while another points out it’s an “excellent transition product” for people who don’t want a cane.

• Made of steel
• Vinyl hand grips and ergonomic handles
• Height adjustable
• 300 maximum user weight capacity
• Lightweight
• Extra-large tips
• Affordable price
• Stylish steel gray finish

Drawbacks of The Lightweight Walking Forearm Crutches by Drive Medical

• Some users note that the arm cuffs aren’t as durable as expected.
• Arm cuffs aren’t sold separately

Who Needs This Crutch?

The lightweight adult forearm crutches and the bariatric crutches are best suited for people between 5′ and 6’2″ since the handle-to-floor height is 28 -37 inches.

The tall adult model has a handle-to-floor height of 33 to 42 inches, which makes it perfect for users between 5’10 and 6’6″.

2. Ergobaum 7G  Forearm Crutches by Ergoactives

Built with the user’s comfort and needs, Ergobaum crutches reduce friction, promote mobility, and reduce stress in the hands and the upper body region.

As you’ll find out in a bit, Ergoactive’s Ergobaum has impressive features that make them not only the best forearm crutches but also a superior walking aid.

Main Features

The problem with the vast majority of crutches is that you have to find the right cuff size and the right height.

Ergoactive’s device has adjustable cuffs with padded straps to solve this issue. You can adjust the length and height of the cuffs for maximum comfort and proper fitting.

That’s not all. You can also adjust the handle angle setting with a simple turn of a knob or change the height of the crutches with the height adjustment pin.

But what sets this crutch apart from other models is that it can be folded into a compact shape for transportation or storage. This feature is great for active patients or those who travel often.

Ergobaum 7G also has a horn, LED flashlight, safety light reflectors, and non-slip high-performance tips. In other words, it’s perfect for indoor and outdoor surfaces alike.

Moreover, its soft rubber handles eliminate wrist, muscle, and shoulder pain and ensure a comfortable grip.

The shock absorber system with springs also ensures pain-free movement because it absorbs the impact of walking.

Unlike standard crutches, each crutch also has a knee rest device so that you can take the weight off your feet if you need to. And each crutch is made of medical-grade materials to ensure durability.

Benefits of Ergobaum 7G  Forearm Crutches by Ergoactives

Customers state that they’re impressed with the ergonomic design, the high-quality material, and the all-terrain rubber tip.

An Amazon reviewer also says that the crutches “are comfortable on your wrists and forearms,” while another notes that the Erogactives crutches “are nothing short of amazing.”

Other benefits include:

• Comfortable crutch pads
• Adjustable cuffs, handle, and height
• Shock absorption
• 360 pounds of maximum user weight capacity
• Safety reflectors
• Adjustable knee rest devices
• Foldable crutches

Drawbacks of Ergobaum 7G  Forearm Crutches by Ergoactives

• Some users note that the crutches are heavier than a standard crutch or an underarm crutch.
• Not the most affordable pair of crutches

Who Needs This Pair of Crutches?

This pair of comfortable forearm crutches is best for people between 5’0″ and 6’6″ with up to 360 pounds of body weight. Since it’s highly adjustable, this crutch is also perfect for different body types.

3. ORTONYX Forearm Crutches

Ortonyx has one of the lightest crutches, perfect for people who want stress-free movement and no pain when walking.

Main Features

The first thing you notice about the Ortonyx forearm crutch is that it’s made of high-quality aluminum to ensure quality construction and maximum lightness.

Each crutch weighs approximately 1.15 pounds and a maximum weight capacity of 308 pounds, as certified and tested according to the EN ISO Standard.

Unlike other common types of crutches, Ortonyx is made in France and has a European design. That’s why the cuff doesn’t cover the whole forearm. It’s still as effective.

Furthermore, the Ortonyx cruth has ergonomic handles made of bi-injected polymer to ensure that you have a strong grip.

You can also easily adjust the crutch’s height from 30 to 39 inches. In this way, you can personalize the size and ensure you have the most comfortable crutches possible.

But wait – there’s more.

Best of all, Ortonyx crutches have anti-slip and anti-noise tips. That makes them perfect for people who want silent usage and the ability to walk on uneven surfaces indoors or outdoors.

Benefits of ORTONYX Forearm Crutches

Top Amazon reviewers note that the Ortonyx crutch is light yet sturdy and comfortable. They state the crutches are the best forearm crutches for long-term use and they’re better than standard ones.

An Amazon reviewer states that the crutches are “great help with my unstable knee,” while another notes that these crutches are “much better than underarm crutches.”

• Lightweight design
• Durable aluminum construction
• Maximum weight carrying capacity of 308 pounds
• Adjustable height
• An ergonomic handle
• Anti-slip tips for slippery surfaces
• Anti-noise tips

Drawbacks of ORTONYX Forearm Crutches

• Users don’t like the open cuff design because the crutch falls on the ground when you release the handles.
• Only two possible positions for height adjustment.

Who Needs This Crutch?

Ortonyx’s remarkable weight capacity ensures that you can lean on the handles with no problems. You can use them for partial weight-bearing, full-weight bearing, or non-weight bearing.

As such, these crutches are suitable for anyone who requires more support when walking than standard axillary crutches or canes can provide.

4. Medline Aluminum Forearm Crutches

Medline is a company with an excellent reputation in the mobility aid market, and they’ve got one of the best forearm crutches for people on a tight budget.

Main Features

One of the first things you notice about Medline’s elbow crutches is they’ve got telescoping parts, allowing different height adjustments.

And since you don’t want your crutches to squeak, each crutch has internal bushings and external lock nuts to ensure silent movement.

Moreover, these forearm canes are made of aluminum with heavy-wall, high-strength tubing for maximum durability. That makes the crutch suitable for indoor surfaces and outdoor ones.

But wait – there’s more.

No matter how carefully you use your crutches, they get scratched. To solve this problem, Medline’s product has black components to hide signs of wear.

To ensure comfortable patient movement, each crutch has vinyl-coated contoured arm cuffs.

Benefits of Medline Aluminum Forearm Crutches

Customers state that Medline’s crutches stay silent when you walk with them and that they’re much more comfortable than standard crutches or canes.

An Amazon reviewer calls them “a game changer,” while another states that everything “fits perfectly.”

• Adjustable crutch height
• Quality construction
• Durable material
• Relatively light in weight
• Affordable
• Silent operation

Drawbacks of Medline Aluminum Forearm Crutches

• Forearm cuffs are not adjustable and don’t have sufficient padding
• Hard plastic handles
• Not the biggest user weight capacity

Who Needs This Pair of Forearm Crutches?

Medline’s forearm crutches work best for tall adults between 5’10 and 6’6″ with a maximum weight of 250 pounds. They’re an excellent choice for temporary injury and long-term disabilities.

Besides tall adults, Medline has the same crutch available in youth size and an adult size.

5. The KMINA Forearm Crutches

These walking crutches by KMINA are our last recommendation for those that need extra stability during the period of injury rehabilitation.

As you’ll see, KMINA’s product has plenty of extra features that earn it a place among the best forearm crutches for long-term use on the market.

Main Features

KMINA forearm canes are made of sturdy aluminum to ensure users’ safety and have 3.5″ rubber tips to provide maximum traction.

Wider and more flexible tips are always a better option because they increase your grip when walking and allow your body and feet to move naturally.

Like other models, you can adjust KMINA’s crutch height to fit your size and build. To do so, you’ve got 14 increments to choose from.

Moreover, the handles are designed to eliminate wrist pain and hand soreness. They also have washable/interchangeable padding, great for maintaining hygiene.

And each crutch weighs only 1.3 pounds, making it easy to transport, even though it doesn’t have a folding feature. But its weight capacity is only 275 pounds.

Benefits of The KMINA Forearm Crutches

Patients note the crutches are lighter than they expected and don’t squeak when walking. An Amazon reviewer also calls these crutches, “much better than underarm crutches” for non-weight bearing injuries.

• Padded hand grips
• Adjustable feature
• Wider rubber tips
• Washable grip cover
• Lightweight
• Ergonomic design

Drawbacks of The KMINA Forearm Crutches

• Users state the non-adjustable, open cuffs don’t provide a comfortable grip.
• No instructions on how to adjust the crutches

Who Needs This Pair of Forearm Crutches?

These ergonomic crutches are suitable for patients between 4’13” and 6’3″. As such, they’re perfect for shorter users looking for lightweight crutches. But it probably won’t be good crutches for tall adults.

Forearm Crutches FAQs

If you lack sufficient body strength, you should consider alternative mobility devices to support your body weight, such as knee scooters or wheelchairs.  

As specialists explain it, forearm crutches are “recommended for long term use if a person is able to bear weight on both legs.”

However, forearm crutches can also be used for non-weight-bearing injuries. But since you can’t put any weight on the injured foot, walking might be more difficult with a forearm crutch.

In general, axillary crutches (underarm crutches) are the best crutches for non-weight bearing injuries because it’s easier to avoid putting your weight on the injured foot.

To determine which type of crutch is best for your injury, you should consult with your doctor to ensure your quick recovery and avoid a secondary injury. 

Conclusion

Staying active when you’re injured is vital to ensure that you don’t put on weight and that your muscles don’t atrophy from disuse.

Forearm crutches are an excellent aid for quick recovery after surgery and can help greatly during physical therapy.

Unlike traditional crutches, you don’t have to worry about axillary nerve damage and crutch palsy with incorrect usage and can enjoy stress-free movement.

Please remember to always consult with your doctor or physical therapist before you start using crutches to ensure your speedy recovery. 

Our Choice

All these five ergonomic forearm crutches have impressive benefits and can provide superior support and stability when walking. However, there’s one that stands among the others.

We’re talking about Drive Medical’s lightweight crutches. Unlike standard aluminum crutches, these walking crutches are made of steel and have a remarkable weight-holding capacity of 300 pounds.

Furthermore, you can adjust the crutches without any special tools and customize both legs and forearms independently. The viny handles, ergonomic grip, and wide crutch tips also ensure comfort and stability.

Moreover, you can choose between bariatric crutches, tall adult crutches, and standard crutches.

What do you think about these 5 best forearm crutches? Have you ever used a crutch before? Share your experience with us in the comment section.