title: The use of a hands-free crutch in patients with musculoskeletal injuries: randomized control trial.
abstract: Unilateral musculoskeletal below-knee injuries occur with great frequency. Patients who cannot bear weight on an injured limb usually mobilize themselves with standard crutches. When the patient also has an upper limb injury, however, mobilization might be impossible, and can result in a lengthy in-patient stay. A randomized control trial was conducted on 80 patients to share our experience with the innovative 'hands-free crutch', and to discuss the potential of this device for more frequent use in orthopaedic surgery. We present its value in facilitating early discharge in patients with both upper and lower limb injuries. We show the cost benefit of the decreased in-patient stay that the hands-free crutch provides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Sciences and Orthopaedics, University of Hull and Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK. R.Rambani@hull.ac.uk
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rambani
authors.forename: Muhammad Saleem
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.forename: Surinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D003446:Crutches; D004434:Early Ambulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016474:Weight-Bearing