I got a comment on a post on my old blog today and to this day, it is still the only blog post I have ever made that somebody I didn't know has commented on. I was thrilled! I have decided then to repost it here as I am shutting down the old blog. The post was about surviving on crutches particularly if you live alone and the two comments were both from people with recent sports injuries who said that the post was really helpful. The crutches are in the hall cupboard in case I need them again but I really hope not to have to go through it all again. It is so hard.
I am back on crutches for the 7th time in my life. For four of these times I have lived alone so I have garnered quite a bit of knowledge on how to survive on crutches when you live alone.
If you have never been on crutches you possibly wouldn't grasp how inconvenient it is to be watching your unsteady feet whilst being propelled on two pieces of metal and rubber which constrain your arms and hands making carrying things really difficult.
Even if this advice is only helpful to one person, I hope it is helpful as it has been painfully accrued through a process of fortitude and adaptation.
1. Getting about. The advice, "take it easy" is really wise when you are on crutches, it pays to take your time and make sure that the rubber stoppers on the crutches are not slipping and are on even ground before you lift through (I've fallen over on crutches a few times not following this advice). If you are clumsy like me, check for spillages or wet patches (from coffee etc) before traversing. When you first start using crutches, you will notice that your shoulders and arms are doing a lot of work and ache but this doesn't last long once you start building up some strength. Don't leave your crutches where you can't reach them. Only store your crutches near to you, unless you are at the stage of needing to wean yourself off them and that little bit of walking to them is helpful. In particular, be careful about storing them so they won't fall over.
2. Getting about without the crutches - I am currently using my swish office chair as an impromptu wheelchair. It's handy for wheeling into the kitchen to make a coffee etc. Be careful not to push off too excitedly though or like me you will go whizzing past the fridge and crash into the oven.
3. Shopping. Most big supermarkets deliver and they will usually put your shopping away for you if you ask them nicely. I tend to have big IKEA bags (the blue ones) lying about so I can load shopping into those and then manoeuvre myself into the kitchen using my office chair. I also keep a stack of carrier bags handy for when I am in the later stages of crutch use and you can carry these in each hand whilst on crutches.
4. Making a coffee - I bought a big flask when I was last on crutches for a prolonged period. I fill it with coffee in the morning and it keeps me going for most of the day. You can put this in a rucksack or carrier bag and carry it about.
5. Washing up - the whole process of collecting plates, washing them and putting them away can be difficult on crutches so I took to using paper plates and plastic cutlery, it was the most practical option for me. Buying bottles of water and juice which can be closed up again for carrying is handy.
6. Food - at the early stages of crutches use last time I was in a very restrictive knee brace. I found salad pots handy and took a while to cook properly. I probably won't do that this time but it's handy to have lots of Tupperware containers handy if it's okay with you to have all your feed merge into one. Basically, anything that can go in a carrier bag without making a mess is a good idea.
7. PRICE - the principles of prevent injury (thanks Kevin!), Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation are genuinely important in terms of recovery. It can be very boring being on crutches and feeling immobilised but honestly, it lasts longer if you don't take good care of yourself and get a bit gun ho.
8. Physio - going to physio has always been the worst part for me about being on crutches (apart from the injury that caused it). My first major injury was sustained at 16 and then again at 21 and I genuinely believe that my ongoing problems have been caused in part by not seeing physio through because of O' Levels and Finals respectively. Once I recover from my latest set back I am determined to do what ever I can to strengthen my knee and the muscles and things around it.
9. Taxis - big black cabs are quite impractical if you are on crutches, it's really difficult to get in and out. If you have to get a taxi (e.g. to the hospital or physio) get a smaller private hire - cheaper and more practical.
10. Alcohol - avoid alcohol if you are on crutches - I fell twice when I was last on crutches and both times I had taken a drink. Everything in moderation but good to avoid, also if you are on painkillers.
11. House work - this is so hard when you are on crutches and unless you can get help from somewhere it's best to be realistic about what you can do. Laundry can be done by carrying clothes in your blue IKEA bag or a rucksack and if you can hoover sat down, magic. Otherwise, it may be best to concentrate on having small bags around the place to be able to pick up rubbish and to do whatever you can whilst you are sat down.
12. Up and down the stairs. Going up stairs is easier I think whilst on crutches. I tend to hop but be careful to lean forward so you don't overbalance and fall backwards. I don't really use crutches going downstairs. If you have a banister, hold onto that and if not, you may have to toboggan down them with a home made luge (joking but you get the idea).
13. Money - keep cash in the house so that you don't get caught short if it's going to be difficult for you to get out for a while.
14. Be careful negotiating swing doors or the round about things in hotels and offices. I always get stuck as I'm pretty slow. Buzz the door and get them to open the disabled access door for you.
15. Focus on walking again as soon as you can. This may not mean that you will be walking straight away but I've always found it helpful to concentrate on seeing myself walking to things and doing things as a way of motivating myself and my legs to get better.
16. Find things to fill your time - it's a good idea to try and avoid too many thoughts of self pity or fatalism. It's a good idea to try and find books to read, films to watch, things to write or things that you might like to do that involve a bit of sitting down. It's best to try and keep yourself occupied with practical things is my view.
17. Taking out rubbish. Try not to let rubbish fester for too long. If like me you live in a tenement flat, you can always ask your neighbours to agree to take your rubbish out or else when your friends are visiting and they ask if you need the rubbish taking out, say YES!
18. Having a bath. I don't have a shower and would personally caution against them on crutches unless you have lots of space to move about or things to hold onto. If you have a cast, be sure to cover it in a plastic bag and try not to get it too wet. Be sure to slippy proof your bathroom!
19. Try not to get back to playing football too soon and this includes perfecting that curled free kick over the sofa into the makeshift goals under the window (that's just advice for me by the me).
Like I say, hope helpful ;-)
