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Wondering if crutches will be a problem for shoulders with RA

Posted , 7 users are following.

rita37849
rita37849

I'm planning ahead for my bilateral hip replacement in December. I know it's a ways off but OA and RA often take control from me so I guess planning let's me feel like I have some control back. I've read quite a bit about other's experiences here and being on crutches for a while seems to be common. I have RA in both shoulders and haven't ever had to use crutches for anything. I'm wondering if anyone of you have shoulder issues and if the crutches were manageable? Thanks

Rita

2 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 rita37849

    Posted

    I broken my collar bone and it never healed. Im awaiting surgery on it and being on crutches atm is effecting my shoulder. Im in quite a lot of pain with it and sometimes it feels like its going to completely cave in. But thats usually when im pushing myself to much. Dont want to scare you haha xx
  • CelsB
    CelsB rita37849

    Posted

    Hi Rita,

    I have one dodgy shoulder and the crutches didn't give me problems.  Are you in the UK?  I know in the US they tend to use those that sit under the arms and they look quite uncomfortable.  With the forearm ones you take the weight on your hands.

    Cels x

    • rita37849
      rita37849 CelsB

      Posted

      Thanks Cels,

      I'm in the US and actually never seen any of the forearm style. They do sound like they would be less of a problem

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK rita37849

    Posted

    Hi, Rita! What is RA? I know that some people here have had troubles with crutches causing problems for their shoulders. You are having both of your hips replaced at the same time, so you will definitely be using two crutches for awhile. I've been using one crutch when walking outdoors for 9 months now. I use a rollator walker when inside. I haven't had any extra shoulder pain from using these walking aids, but I don't usually walk more than about 2,500 steps per day. The hands and arms do as much work as the shoulders do when using walking aids. 

    The amount of pressure on the hands, arms and shoulders will depend on how well you are able to weight bear and walk. It gets easier over time. If your shoulders can't take it, you will find out after the replacements. Worst case scenario, you might have to use a wheelchair sometimes if your arms can't do the work without too much pain. Perhaps you could see a physical therapist to evaluate how using the crutches would affect your shoulders.

     

    • rita37849
      rita37849 AnnieK

      Posted

      Seeing a physical therapist is a good suggestion. I know my Dr does the anterior approach so I'm hoping I won't need excess assistance for more than a few weeks. I know that won't be something I can know for sure ahead of time though.
    • rita37849
      rita37849 sarah1996

      Posted

      Thank you for clarifying for me Sara. Sorry Annie. I got lazy and took the abbreviation route. Unfortunately I have a close relationship with two of the arthritis family, osteoporosis and rheumatoid. Both of them are real bullies and boss me around a lot.
    • bini31328
      bini31328 rita37849

      Posted

      RA is a horrible condition , you have my sympathy , and if I had a magic wand ......xxxxx
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK rita37849

      Posted

      I should have known. So sorry you have both, as one is bad enough! It's smart of you to be thinking ahead about this. I, too, have been wondering about a similar situation. I have to have surgery again, for gluteal tendon repair, and I will be either non-weight bearing or toe-touch only for about 8 weeks. So I will have to be carrying my whole body weight with my arms when ambulating and not on my good leg (which isn't very good). I definitely have something going on in my shoulders that causes pain, but I haven't had them checked out. It isn't a problem for me now, using one crutch and full weight bearing on both legs, but I suspect it will be a problem after the next surgery. Sigh. It's always something, isn't it.

      Good luck on getting this figured out, Rita.

  • bini31328
    bini31328 rita37849

    Posted

    Guess it could be a problem , although some designs are easier than others . For outside walking you may find walking poles are easier , but when you are still putting a lot of weight on the crutches may not be safe - certainly a question you could put to the local physio department - in an ideal world you should have a situation where you would be referred to physio/ ot now so you could practice, work out whats best for you and prepare in advance . If you see a rheumatologist for your RA then they or the RA specialist nurse , if you see one, should be able to facilitate this . In an ideal world.......proactive not reactive care ! 
    • rita37849
      rita37849 bini31328

      Posted

      Good idea. I see my rheumatologist in June so I will definitely discuss it with her.
  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 rita37849

    Posted

    I have systemic arthritis, shoulders, wrists, hands, fingers, and the hospital had a issue with me, they brought both types of crutches, elbow crutches, or canadian crutches, also under arm crutches.

    The elbow crutches worked best for me, as I was able to take my weight through my unoperated leg, and wrap my hands around the handle of the crutches enough to hang onto them, and use the crutches to form a tripod and stabilise myself while I was still wobbly on my feet.

    After that used one crutch for about 2 - 3 weeks to give myself the feeling of just having some extra support.

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951

      Posted

      Should have mentioned the crutches had a big fat handles, moulded to the right shape for arthiritic hands, very good and a great relief, to get something that was going to be a help rather than a hinderance.
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