Padding Crutches

How to use pipe insulation to make cushy padding for crutches.

My husband is on crutches for the first time. His biggest complaint has been sore elbows from hitting himself with the back of the crutch. Padding seemed like it might help.  Putting pipe insulation over the aluminum tubing spares the elbows and provides very cushy padding on the hand grips.

Update: Sadly the cushy aspect of the hand grips is temporary.  The insulation permanently squishes in time... but it's nice for a while (a week?) and is easily replaced.

Step 1 Materials needed

You will need:

One length of pipe insulation (available in hardware stores). It comes in lots of sizes. I used 3/8 inch thick... around a 1 inch hole.

Electrical tape.

Scissors

Optional: 3M Vetrap (or sticks-to-itself stretchy athletic bandage)

Comments

[bekathwia]

You might also try bumping the hand rests up one notch, your arms shouldn't be so stretched out that your elbows are locked way out and hit the bars. I have hyperextending elbows and while on crutches it was a problem, too, but not after I raised the handles! Nice 'ible.

[mole1]

Oh, VERY good to know!!  They didn't come with any directions.  Thank you for the advice! I'll pass this on immediately. 

[your dog]

Good idea! i just used zip ties and old rag towels

[mole1]

That must work pretty well. I've see towels used on the hand grips more than once over the years.   Were you able to keep it on the verticals?