Why Hand Grip Height Matters

The hand grips are where you should bear your weight, not the underarm pads. When the grip is at the correct height:

• Your elbow bends slightly (about 15–30 degrees), which reduces strain on your joints.

• Your shoulders stay relaxed, and your posture stays more upright.

• You can push down through your arms and hands without overreaching or collapsing into your armpits.

If the grips are too low, your arms are almost fully extended, which can tire your shoulders and wrists. If they are too high, your elbows are overly bent and your posture becomes hunched.

Step‑By‑Step: Setting the Hand Grip Height

Most axillary crutches have separately adjustable hand grips on the lower shaft. Follow these steps while wearing the shoes you plan to use with the crutches.

1. Adjust the overall crutch length first

   • Stand on a flat surface, wearing your usual shoes.

   • The top of the underarm pad should sit about 2–3 finger widths (roughly 2–3 inches) below your armpit when you stand tall.

2. Check your arm position

   • Let your arms hang naturally at your sides.

   • The hand grips should be at wrist‑level—lined up with your wrist crease when your arm is straight down.

3. Fine‑tune the elbow bend

   • Place your hands on the grips and hold the crutches in the walking position.

   • Your elbow should bend about 20–30 degrees when you push down on the grips.

   • If your arm is too straight, raise the grips; if your elbow is bent more than 30 degrees, lower them slightly.

4. Repeat for both crutches

   • Make sure both hand grips are at the same height so your weight is distributed evenly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Letting the armpit carry weight
  Remind users to support their weight through their hands, not by leaning into the underarm pads, which can compress nerves and cause numbness or weakness.

• Measuring without shoes
  Changing from sneakers to flats or sandals can change effective height, so always check the fit with the shoes you’ll actually wear.

• Ignoring worn or loose grips
  A cracked or slipping hand grip can change how high the pole effectively feels and reduce control. Replace or tighten grips as needed.

When to Re‑Check the Hand Grip Height

You should re‑check the hand‑grip height if:

• The user feels shoulder, wrist, or back pain while using the crutches.

• They feel the crutches are too long or too short when walking.

• Their weight‑bearing status changes (for example, moving from non‑weight‑bearing to partial weight‑bearing), which can change how the crutches feel.

Safety Reminder

Properly adjusted hand grips make axillary crutches safer and more comfortable, but they still require good technique and supervision, especially at first. Many clinicians recommend a brief fitting or gait check with a physical therapist or mobility specialist to ensure both the underarm pad height and hand‑grip height are correct for the individual.